A Guide to the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)
By ProMatcher Staff
What is the American Society of Consulting Arborists?
The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) is a highly regarded, professional association of arboricultural consultants. Members of the ASCA are tree experts that provide consulting services to municipalities, individual homeowners, and other business professionals. They perform a variety of tasks from diagnosing tree disease in the field to providing expert testimony in court. The American Society of Consulting Arborists has over 600 members that work to ensure the health and safety of trees across the United States.
Membership
In order to become a member of the ASCA, individuals must have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of arboriculture. They must also meet an educational requirement.
There are three ways to satisfy this requirement:
1. Hold a four-year degree in a relevant field of study (forestry, plant biology, etc.)
2. Have 240 continuing education units (CEUs) in accordance with ASCA guidelines
3. Be a ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
Then, in order to maintain their membership status, individuals must accumulate 30 CEUs every two years. These continuing education credit hours are earned by attending ASCA conferences, participating in workshops, taking online seminars, and earning other professional certifications.
What is a Registered Consulting Arborist?
An active member of the ASCA may choose to become a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA). This designation is only awarded to the most qualified professionals in the arboricultural industry. In order to earn this designation, candidates must graduate from the ASCA’s Consulting Academy. This process involves completing coursework and passing an exam. Individuals must also submit several consulting reports for review in order to demonstrate their expert knowledge and professional competence. Candidates must have strong technical skills in addition to strong writing and analytical skills. All designated professionals must also adhere to a strict code of ethics.
Learn More: What is an Arborist?
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| ProMatcher Staff, ProMatcher
Orlando, FL 32803
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