Arboriculture is the professional field dedicated to the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the globally recognized organization responsible for setting professional standards. The ISA offers a tiered credentialing system, with the Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) designation representing the highest level of achievement. Understanding the population size of this elite group helps assess the depth of expertise within the tree care industry.
What Defines a Board Certified Master Arborist?
The Board Certified Master Arborist credential signifies a comprehensive understanding that goes beyond the general knowledge base of a standard ISA Certified Arborist. BCMAs demonstrate mastery across the three major domains of arboriculture: Science, Practice, and Management. The credential recognizes professionals who have reached the pinnacle of their field, possessing the advanced ability to handle complex tree care scenarios.
The rigorous testing structure mandates simultaneous proficiency in all three domains to earn the designation. Science encompasses tree biology, soil science, and disorders. The Practice domain covers technical skills like pruning, plant health care, and diagnostic processes, while Management includes business relations, risk assessment, and tree preservation. A BCMA must understand how these areas integrate to inform complete arboricultural solutions.
The Current Number of Board Certified Master Arborists
The population of professionals holding this highest credential is notably small, reflecting the difficulty of the achievement. As of the most recently published data from the International Society of Arboriculture, there are approximately 1,391 Board Certified Master Arborists worldwide.
To provide context for this rarity, the total population of ISA Certified Arborists globally numbers in the tens of thousands. The BCMA designation is held by fewer than two percent of all ISA Certified Arborists. This disparity illustrates the highly selective nature of the credential, positioning BCMAs as an exceptionally specialized group.
Why the BCMA Certification is Highly Exclusive
The small number of BCMAs stems from the required combination of sustained professional experience and the comprehensive knowledge base. Candidates must first be an ISA Certified Arborist in good standing, establishing a foundation of professional practice. The certification acts as a filter by requiring candidates to demonstrate mastery across the three distinct, interdisciplinary areas: Science, Practice, and Management.
Achieving this designation necessitates a level of expertise difficult to acquire in a single career path, demanding proficiency in both technical field work and high-level consulting or administrative functions. This requirement for simultaneous mastery across all three domains is the primary factor limiting the number of credential holders.
Detailed Requirements for Achieving BCMA Status
The initial step requires candidates to obtain a total of eight points from a combination of four eligibility categories: measurable experience, formal education, other related credentials, and professional work experience. For example, each year a candidate has held the ISA Certified Arborist credential counts for one point. Various specialty certifications, such as the ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist or the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, can also each contribute one point.
Formal education provides additional points: an associate’s degree counts as one point, a four-year degree counts as two points, and a Master’s or Ph.D. contributes three or four points, respectively. Once the eight-point threshold is met, candidates must pass a rigorous, scenario-based examination. The exam consists of 165 multiple-choice questions, must be completed in four hours, and requires a passing score of 70 percent.
The recertification process requires BCMAs to accumulate at least 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every three years. This continuing education must demonstrate a balanced commitment to learning by including a minimum number of CEUs in each of the three core domains: Science, Practice, and Management. This requirement ensures that the BCMA’s expertise remains current with the latest research and best practices.
Career Advantages of the BCMA Credential
Holding the Board Certified Master Arborist designation opens professional opportunities inaccessible to general certified arborists. The credential significantly enhances a professional’s credibility, making them a more competitive candidate in the job market. This increased recognition often translates into higher earning potential due to the specialized nature of the expertise.
BCMAs are frequently sought after for high-level consulting roles, particularly in managing complex urban forestry projects. Their mastery of risk assessment and valuation makes them qualified for engagements as expert witnesses in civil litigation and insurance claims. In this capacity, BCMAs provide reports and testimony on matters related to tree condition, maintenance standards, and landscape valuation.