Basic Steps to Become an LTE / LTCO

Jul 21

Thinking of becoming an official NJ Tree Care Operator or advancing as a NJ Licensed Tree Expert? We’ve put together a checklist that can help you step by step. Taking the necessary actions will instantly boost your knowledge, reputation and business overall!

Requirements include tree experience, test taking, recommendations and setting your mind to it.

Getting started in arboriculture:

We all have to start somewhere. For people in arboriculture, start by shadowing or an apprenticeship. Being employed by someone who is an LTE or LTCO is crucial to starting off the right way. 3-5 years is ideal depending on becoming either an LTE or LTCO. If you’ve already have this checked off your list then you’re in the right direction.

Learning arboriculture by either apprenticeship, shadowing, or anything similar to gain experience.

Solidify your reputation before applying either LTE or LTCO:

Make sure you know a good friend or two within the industry, a satisfied customer or anyone else relevant in order to assist towards your requirement of 3 letters of recommendation written to the NJ Board of Tree Experts Officer for either LTE and/or LTCO.

3 Letters of recommendation written to NJ Board of Tree Experts Officer

Licensed Tree Care Operator requirements:

NJ Board of Tree Experts mentions a few of the main components in order to just get started on becoming a licensed tree care operator by:

Being at least 18 years old
A High School Diploma or GED
Possess good moral character
3 years experience in tree work

Licensed Tree Expert requirements:

NJ Board of Tree Experts wants to know you went to college with passing grades, OR at least 5 years of arboriculture work before you take the test.

Being at least 18 years old
Possess good moral character
GED and College with passing grades

5 years in arboriculture practice

Here are the college/tree work details directly from the board for LTE:

College requirements:

a graduate of a four-year college with a degree in forestry, arboriculture, ornamental horticulture, botany, nursery production, plant biology, plant physiology, ecology, horticulture, environmental planning and design, landscape architecture, natural resources, or the equivalent (as determined by the Board of Tree Experts) or,
a person who has completed two years of college, with passing grades in at least three college courses related to arboriculture, such as botany, soils, plant science, plant biology, plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, forestry, natural resources, ecology, horticulture, plant propagation, landscape construction or dendrology and has been continuously employed in the practice of arboriculture for at least three years preceding the date of his/her test application.

Arboriculture requirements:

a person who has been continuously employed in the practice of arboriculture for at least five years immediately preceding the date of his/her test application.

Prepare for the test:

First and foremost is to have the necessary knowledge to prepare for the test. Give yourself enough time by checking the test dates for LTE and LTCO exam updates on the NJ Board of Tree Experts website along with the application for the test.

But how do I know what to study? Good news, NJ Board of Tree Experts helps you study by having preparation session days AND they’ll feed you lunch!

Apply ($50 fee) and register by due date for the Tree Experts Test
Attend the preparation days held in New Jersey

According to the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts, “The New Jersey Society of Licensed Tree Experts will offer four one-day Preparatory / Educational Sessions open to all individuals who either wish to take the Licensed Tree Expert examination, need CEU’s, pesticide credits, or just want to update themselves to current problems and solutions.”

Always check www.njtreeexperts.com for updates on deadlines for applying, prep days, and also test taking dates.
Check their website for exam subject matter.

Questions? Contact board of tree experts with questions and/or concerns:

Please email njtreeexperts@gmail.com to share your comments or ask questions.

If you have an urgent issue, or one you need to discuss at length, please indicate with a brief message or contact by phone (732)534-0982.

Notices. (2020). Retrieved July 17, 2020, from https://njtreeexperts.org/

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