Pre-Approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Earning Pre-approved CEUs
CEUs are offered through workshops, and seminars presented by ISA and network of chapters, professional associations, allied partners, academic institutions, and other organizations that have sought pre-approval through ISA.
Benefits of attending a pre-approved event are:
Attendees know how many CEUs they will earn for attending the event before the event
Faster processing times since the content has already been reviewed
Less paperwork for attendees
How to request pre-approval for an event
If you are organizing or instructing an event that you believe may be eligible for CEU credit, you may submit a request to have it pre-approved. To be eligible for CEU credit, an event:
Must directly relate to the field of arboriculture and one of the topics found on the certification exam outline.
Must have an educational focus and a form of measurable learning.
Must be at least 30 minutes in length or have several eligible sessions that add up to at least 30 minutes.
To request pre-approval for the Midwestern Chapter-ISA, you may submit a PRE-APPROVAL FORM and a detailed agenda or outline that shows how the training time will be used to staff@mwisaceus.org. If you have any additional questions, call Kim at (531)289-8267 .
ATTENDANCE SUBMISSION PROCESS
You have: attendance to submit from your pre-approved event
ISA’s preferred method of accepting attendance is via the ISA Bulk Upload spreadsheet template. Attendance spreadsheets should be sent only to the e-mail address indicated on the file (isa@isa-arbor.com).
Benefits: By utilizing the spreadsheet, ISA is able to import into the database as a bulk upload and CEUs are processed in a timelier manner with improved accuracy and there is less room for error due to miskeying of information. Additionally, all fields are searchable so that in the event ISA needs to locate historical data, staff can do that quickly. Additionally, there is less room for error with credential holders receiving their CEUs as staff does not have to decipher handwriting. All of this leads to improved customer service and more satisfied credential holders.
Potential pitfalls/common errors: The most common errors we see when processing bulk uploads is when a cert ID is not formatted correctly, or a credential holder’s name is not listed on the attendance spreadsheet exactly as it is on their ISA record. While the bulk upload is not case sensitive, the cert ID must be formatted as in our database with regard to dash placement and corresponding credential letter (i.e. IL-0001T). The system will kick back any errors with a specific warning message as to what the issue was and ISA staff will investigate, correct the spreadsheet, and resubmit the bulk upload.
How to fill out the ISA Bulk Upload Spreadsheet Video: click here
Maintaining Your Credentials
All ISA Certifications are valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you must earn a minimum number of ISA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the end of the three-year period and pay a recertification fee. Or, you can retake and pass the exam. The number of CEUs required depends upon the credential you hold:
ISA Certified Arborist: 30 CEUs
ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist: 6 Utility CEUs + 30 Arborist CEUs = 36 total
ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist: 12 Municipal CEUs + 30 Arborist CEUs = 42 total
ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist*: 15 CEUs
ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist*: 15 CEUs
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist: 60 CEUs; 20 each in Science, Practice, and Management
Need CEUs?
To view a list of pre-approved events, visit the ISA CALENDAR and search for events offering CEU opportunities near you!
Tracking Your CEUs
ISA will track how many CEUs you have and how many you need for renewal. You may also check your CEUs status by logging into your account.
Post-Approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Earning Post-Approved CEUs
The strength of the ISA Certification Program is in the continuing education component. As with any type of professional certification, there must be a way to measure continued competence. Continuing education units (CEUs) are part of the requirement for recertification every three (3) years. If you have attended a course that seems appropriate for CEUs, please see instructions below.
How to request post-approval for an event
To request CEUs for training events you attended that have not been pre-approved, and that are eligible for ISA CEUs, please follow the link below to submit requests for CEU post-approval.
My Submission Request
You can now submit requests for post approval CEUs by logging into your ISA account online! Upload documentation and input the attendees for each event. You may leave and return at any time until the “I am finished” button is clicked to submit the request to ISA. Watch this area for current status and final determination.