ISA Certified Arborist Prep-Course & Exam April 2026

Join Us for the KAA Certified Arborist Preparation Course!
Led by Dr. Bill Fountain, Professor Emeritus of Arboriculture & Landscape Management, University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture.

NOTE: A separate registration through ISA for the exam is required (Certification or re-certification fees will be required). See information below.

Course Details:

• Dates:

  • Monday, April 13, 2026: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Lunch provided)
    (Registration opens at 8:15 AM – please do not arrive early.)

  • Tuesday, April 14, 2026: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Lunch provided)

  • Wednesday, April 15, 2026:  Arrive at 8:00 AM and test starts 9:00 AM

• Location:
  Campbell County Extension Services, 184 Beasley Rd, Versailles, KY 40383

• Organizer: Kentucky Arborists' Association (KAA)

• Registration Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026
  To pay by check with no processing fees, contact Bonnie Burnick at info@ky-isa.org.

ISA Certification Exam:

• Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

• Exam Start Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Location: Same as the course

• Exam Registration Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026

• Minimum Participants Required: 5

• Specialties Offered:

  • ISA Certified Arborist

  • Utility Specialist

  • Municipal Specialist

Important Notes:

• Separate registration with ISA is required for the Certification Exam.

• Application for the exam must be submitted directly to ISA.

To register for the exam, please follow the steps below-----this is the new website for registering.

·  Create a MyISA account if you do not already have one at isa-arbor.com

·  Login to the MyISA account at isa-arbor.com

·  On the left-hand side select "ISA Credentialing". This will open up the new credentialing system

·  Scroll down until you see "ISA Certified Arborist" and "Apply Now" 

·  Complete the application steps including paying the application fee. Please remember to submit your application after all checklist items are completed. 

·  The internal ISA team will review and provide feedback on the application. Once ready, they will approve it, and you will be ready to enroll. 

·  Log back into ISA and the Certified Arborist application, select "Enroll Now" then follow the steps to find the language and exam you would like to sit at. There is a filter on the left-hand side that you can use to narrow down the list of in-person exams. 

·  Select the exam and complete the enrollment process. This includes paying the enrollment fee. 

·  Once each step is completed, you will receive confirmation emails. 

Any questions or issues please contact ISA directly:

• Phone: +1.678.367.0981

• Email: isa@isa-arbor.com

Hotel Recommendation:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Lexington W
365 Commerce Drive, Versailles, KY 40383
Phone: (859) 873-5501
Holiday Inn Express Website

For any questions about the KAA Certified Arborist Preparation Course, please contact:
Bonnie Burnick
Email: info@ky-isa.org

For questions about the Certification Exam, contact ISA directly.