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About The TPAQ Certificate Program

The TPAQ curriculum is an introductory training course that will train green industry professionals in the theory and application of current tree and plant appraisal approaches, methods, and techniques to develop and implement an appraisal assignment. If you are a green industry professional who wishes to learn about tree, plant, and landscape appraisal, this course is for you.

For those who wish to obtain the TPAQ Certificate and meet the Candidate Eligibility requirements listed below, the training culminates with an open-book exam that tests attendees on their comprehension of the learning objectives. Successful candidates will receive a certificate, indicating that they are qualified to the industry validated learning outcomes listed below, and be entitled to list TPAQ as a credential. It is important to note, obtaining the TPAQ certificate and/or attending the TPAQ training does not convey a qualification of performance in Tree and Plant Appraisal. 

The TPAQ Certificate program has been developed in alignment with ASTM E2659 Certificate Program Standards. 

Learning Outcomes

• Understand basic appraisal concepts.
• Define the tree and plant appraisal process.
• Understand tree and plant appraisal, approaches, methods, and techniques.
• Apply tree and plant appraisal approaches, methods, and techniques.
• Present assignment results.

The full curriculum outline can be found here.    

Candidate Eligibility

Anyone is eligible to attend a TPAQ training course. However, to be eligible to take the exam and earn the TPAQ certificate, applicants must:

1. Provide a signature page with application agreeing to follow the ASCA Standards of Professional Practice when conducting their work in the appraisal of plant or tree assignments.
   AND
   
2. Provide evidence of a minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in horticulture or arboriculture by the submittal of a curriculum vitae or resume.
   AND
3. Provide evidence of at least one of the following:
   - Possess a four-year degree OR
   - Hold one of the following positions or credentials: 
   a. Registered Consulting Arborist®
   b. International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)
   c. State-registered or state-licensed landscape architect
   d. Member of the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF)

What if I'm not eligible for the exam now, but I am later?

Candidates who are not currently eligible to take the exam may pay the registration fees and attend the educational training sessions, but they may not sit for the open-book exam. 

If you are not eligible to sit for the exam at the time of attending the training, you will have 12 months from the date of the training to complete the eligibility requirements (as listed above) to take the exam and receive the TPAQ certificate. If you took a TPAQ training course and are now eligible to take the exam, please contact asca@asca-consultants.org. 

What if I don't pass?

Each TPAQ student must attend all education sessions and then successfully pass a 60-question exam with an 80% or above to receive the TPAQ certificate. If you do not pass the exam, you will receive one additional attempt. The cost to re-test is $150 and must be completed using an online platform within one year of the initial test date.

What Happens After I Successfully Earn My TPAQ Certificate?

All TPAQ credential holders will receive a certificate by mail and will be listed on the ASCA website as a TPAQ credential holder. Share with the industry on social media and on your website that you've earned your TPAQ certificate!

Maintaining Your Certificate

Once you have attended TPAQ training and successfully passed the exam and earned the TPAQ certificate, the certificate is valid for five years from the date it is earned. To maintain the certificate, TPAQ holders must take the TPAQ Certificate Renewal Course and pass the exam once every five (5) years, or when the Guide for Plant Appraisal is updated - whichever comes first. 

Only those individuals who have successfully completed an ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification training program and have passed the exam may list themselves as ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualified. One must maintain their qualification status or discontinue use of the designation.

Approved Wording:
ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualified
ASCA TPAQ

Examples of Use:
Allison Smith
ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal

OR

Allison Smith
ASCA TPAQ