Getting Started Is Easy
- TCIA recommends you pre-qualify yourself by taking the free, online “Into to Arboriculture Safety course: https://freecourses.tcia.org/
- Contact an apprenticeship sponsor to find out how to apply and become an Arborist Apprentice.
Tree Care Companies with Registered Arborist Apprenticeships
Seacoast Tree Care, Stratham, NH
For more information, contact apprenticeship@tcia.org.
Cohanzick Climate Corps
About the Program Members of Cohanzick Climate Corps learn all aspects of tree care from the very beginning of service. The program is hosted at Cohanzick Nature Reserve, a 63-acre [...]
Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation
Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation is a family-owned, full-service arboriculture firm serving both residential and commercial clients in central Ohio for more than 40 years. Our team of just over [...]
US DOL Approves TCIA as an Apprenticeship Ambassador
In May 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) approved and recognized TCIA as an Apprenticeship Ambassador. Although TCIA has three years’ experience with the Registered [...]
CM Tree Service
CM Tree Service is a locally owned full-service tree company located in Billings, MT. We have a crew of 8 including office staff. Over the last 4 years we have [...]
Coming Soon! Vegetation Management Pre-Inspector Training
The Training Resource Center at College of the Sequoias will be offering Pre-Inspector Level 1 Training. This training was designed to educate participants to patrol power lines to ensure vegetation [...]
Utility Line Clearance Arborist Training: College of the Sequoias
The Training Resource Center at College of the Sequoias offers a Utility Line Clearance Arborist Training. This five-week, 200-hour program offers trainees an opportunity to develop best practices, skills, and [...]
A large part of Arborist Apprenticeship is done through “On-the-Job Learning”, so you learn while you earn!
Here are the topics taught and competencies you will learn while you are working:
| Hours | Work Process Description (Competencies) |
| 450-500 | Adhere to ANSI and employer safety standards for all work. |
| 180-200 | Identify common trees and shrubs in the employer’s region. |
| 540-600 | Perform rigging on the ground and aloft. |
| 900-1,000 | Access trees safely. |
| 720-800 | Operate a chain saw on the ground and aloft, and perform field maintenance. |
| 270-300 | Operate a chipper. |
| 900-1,000 | Prune trees and shrubs from the ground and aloft, according to ANSI A300. |
| 720-800 | Remove trees and shrubs. |
| 720-800 | Local Optional Work Processes |
| A. Operate vehicles with or without trailer. | |
| B. Operate aerial lifts. | |
| C. Operate stump grinder. | |
| D. Participate in responses to storms and emergency situations. | |
| E. Install tree support and lightning protection systems. | |
| G. Perform plant health care activities. | |
| 5,400-6,000 | Total Hours |
Arborist Apprenticeship includes classroom/self-study instruction to complement on-the-job learning. Related instruction is approximately 440 hours, and can be completed in one of two ways:
- In-person at a higher-education institution with an approved program
- Self-study training program provided by the Tree Care Industry Association called the Arborist Apprenticeship Training Program for related instruction.
Apprenticeship Curriculum
While each Arborist Apprenticeship can be designed to meet the needs of the company, in general, the following topics are covered as part of related instruction:
- Arborist skills
- Equipment fundamentals
- Aerial tree work
- Tree and shrub identification
- Rigging and tree removal
- Tree biology and identification
- Plant health care
- Leadership in tree care operations
- Communication skills
Additional Training
Some Arborist Apprenticeships include the following related instruction training, be sure to inquire about these when reviewing apprenticeship:
- State Pesticide Applicator License
- CPR, First Aid, and AED certificates
- Commercial Driver’s License