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Arborist — ARB
Total cost: $485-$1,035
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
LCB Arborist Phase License
State License
Required
ISA Certification
Required
Pesticide License
Required
State Exam
Yes
CE Required
$485-$1,035
Total Initial Fees
Licensing, certification, and permit requirements for commercial tree care
VerifiedState License
Required
LCB Arborist Phase License
ISA Certification
Legally Required
ISA Certified Arborist credential is mandated by state law for certain tree care activities
Pesticide Applicator License
Required for Tree Treatments
Required; Commercial Pesticide Applicator from Oregon Department of Agriculture
Business License
Required
Contractor License
Required
Landscape Contractor License required from LCB
Arborist licensing varies significantly by state. Some states require a specific arborist or tree expert license, while others rely on ISA certification as the professional standard. All states require a pesticide applicator license for chemical tree treatments. Some states also require a general contractor license for tree work above certain dollar thresholds.
Not sure if you need a arborist license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education, experience, and examination requirements
Mostly verifiedEducation Requirements
Education or experience required for Landscape Contractor License
Experience Requirements
Experience or education in landscape/tree care for LCB license
ISA Exam
Required
State Exam
Required
Must pass the LCB laws, rules, and business practices section of the exam. ISA Certified Arborist credential is also required (serves as the technical competency requirement). Arborist Phase created January 1, 2021.
Continuing Education
ISA Certified Arborists need 30 CEUs per 3-year cycle. State license also requires CE credits for renewal. Pesticide applicator recertification requires ongoing CE credits.
The ISA Certified Arborist credential requires a minimum of 3 years full-time experience in arboriculture (degree substitutions available). The exam covers tree biology, diagnosis and treatment, pruning, safety, soil science, and urban forestry. A passing score of 76% or higher is required.
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International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist Program
VerifiedCredential
ISA Certified Arborist
Issuing Body
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Experience Required
3+ years full-time (degree substitution available)
Exam Format
200 multiple-choice questions, 3.5-hour time limit
Passing Score
76% minimum
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years — 30 CEUs required
Exam Fee
$185 (ISA member) / $285 (non-member)
Exam Details
ISA Certified Arborist exam: 200 multiple-choice questions covering tree biology, diagnosis, pruning, safety, soil science, and urban forestry. 3.5-hour time limit. Minimum 76% passing score.
Advanced Certifications
ISA certification is the most widely recognized credential in the arboriculture industry. In Oregon, ISA Certified Arborist credential is legally required for certain tree care activities. Advanced certifications such as Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) demonstrate higher levels of expertise.
ISA Certified Arborist Exam
Questions
200 questions
Time Limit
3.5 hours
Format
Multiple choice
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $185 (ISA member) / $285 (non-member) exam feeInvest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the ISA Certified Arborist Exam.
Insurance Coverage for Tree Care Operations
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Required for Landscape Contractor License; minimum $100,000 per occurrence
Workers' Compensation
Required for all employers
Property Damage
Property damage coverage included in general liability policy; tree care operations carry significant property damage risk
Bonding
Surety bond of $20,000 required for Landscape Contractor License
Tree care is considered a high-risk profession. General liability insurance with adequate coverage is essential for protecting against property damage and bodily injury claims. Workers' compensation insurance is required in most states for employers. Many clients and municipalities require proof of insurance before allowing tree work to proceed.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
State License Fee Landscape Contractor License (with tree care endorsement) application/exam fee | $175-$325 (LCB license fee) |
ISA Certification Exam Fee One-time exam fee; ISA membership ($135/year for individual) reduces exam cost | $185 (ISA member) / $285 (non-member) exam fee |
Pesticide Applicator License Pesticide applicator exam and license fee in Oregon | $25-$100 |
Business License Business registration and licensing fees in Oregon | $100-$275 |
Total Initial Fees Includes ISA certification exam, pesticide license, business license, and state license fees where applicable. Does not include insurance premiums. | $485-$1,035 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal Requirements & CE Obligations
Mostly verifiedEvery 3 years; requires 30 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) or retaking the certification exam
ISA Renewal
Annual or triennial renewal depending on state; continuing education credits required
Pesticide License
Required
Continuing Education
State License Renewal
Annual renewal of Landscape Contractor License; CE required
CE Details
ISA Certified Arborists need 30 CEUs per 3-year cycle. State license also requires CE credits for renewal. Pesticide applicator recertification requires ongoing CE credits.
Regulatory Board
ISA Certified Arborists must earn 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every 3 years to maintain their credential. CEUs can be earned through conferences, workshops, college courses, and ISA-approved programs. Pesticide applicator licenses also require periodic renewal with continuing education. Failure to renew results in loss of credentials.
Oregon created a specific LCB Arborist Phase License effective January 1, 2021. This is one of the few states that actually requires ISA Certified Arborist certification. Two licensing pathways exist: LCB (allows planting + removal/pruning) and CCB (removal/pruning only, no planting).
Oregon requires an LCB Arborist Phase License for tree care work, effective January 1, 2021.
This is an arborist-specific license phase under the Landscape Contractors Board.
The LCB Arborist Phase license requires ISA Certified Arborist certification.
A pesticide applicator license IS required for any chemical treatments on trees.
ISA Certified Arborist credential is REQUIRED for the LCB Arborist Phase License.
Oregon has two licensing pathways for tree work: (1) LCB Arborist Phase License — requires ISA certification, allows tree planting AND removal/pruning; (2) CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license — allows tree removal/pruning but does NOT allow tree planting. Only an LCB license permits tree planting.
Arborist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon (you) | $435–$1,260 | 6–16 wks | |
| California | $590–$1,415 | 6–16 wks | → |
| Idaho | $260–$885 | 4–10 wks | → |
| Nevada | $260–$885 | 4–10 wks | → |
| Washington | $260–$885 | 4–10 wks | → |
See how Oregon compares: Arborist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Compare arborist requirements across all states →
Arborist licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Oregon compare to other states for arborist? See the full comparison →
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Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Oregon.
Arborist Schools in Oregon
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study materials for ISA Certified Arborist exam and tree care licensing.
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Arborist requirements in Oregon verified against Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB), April 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2026-04-07
Moving to Oregon? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Arborist license to Oregon →
Transfer your Arborist license from Oregon to: California → | Idaho → | Nevada → | Washington →
Oregon requires a LCB Arborist Phase License for commercial tree care. ISA Certified Arborist credential is legally required. A pesticide applicator license is required for chemical tree treatments. Licensing and permits are managed through the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB).
Requirements vary by state and municipality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and ISA.