isa climbers cert test

familytree

familytree

Location
Haddonfield, nj
I am currently studying for my ISA certification, but was turned onto the climbers cert test (thanks jman). I am very interested in this cert, regardless if its "useless" or "worthless" (I've heard both words used to describe the certification, both by my boss) I take pride in the fact that I'm a climber, that's why I am so interested in the climber cert test.

Okay, so I read the requirements for the test, and I fill them all. I've read the topics being covered, and am currently studying feverishly for the exam. It wasnt til yesterday that I noticed that, to do the work climb, you must climb on either a blakes hitch or a tautline. Also, to ascent into the tree, you must body thrust into the tree

Does this seem a bit outdated to anyone else? I understand that the blakes and tautline are still widely used, but shouldnt they also include the more "modern" climbing hitches?

Also, the ascent method of footlocking isn't exactly new, so why does the ISA insist on body thrusting for access to the canopy?

If anyone else is currently studying for this exam, or the ISA cert, feel free to use this thread to ask "or answer" questions. Thanks in advance
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am very interested in this cert, regardless if its "useless" or "worthless" (I've heard both words used to describe the certification, both by my boss)

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I don't agree. The tree worker test was more of a challenge than the arborist exam in my opinion. I would be more apt to hire a CTW for a field position than a CA.



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to do the work climb, you must climb on either a blakes hitch or a tautline. Also, to ascent into the tree, you must body thrust into the tree


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That does seem really odd. Maybe time for a change.
 
Yesterday the CTW test was given in Austin TX. There were about ten climbers who took the test.

You're right, there seems to be some antiquated procedures in the test. There are plenty of reasons for this. In the ideal world there would be enough proctors who are willing to volunteer to go through the training sessions and then volunteer to give up another weekend to run the tests.

Those proctors all need to know what is being tested and what isn't acceptable. At the testing yesterday all of the proctors are career long climbers. In some chapters the only volunteers may be people who have never been climbing arborists. How can they be expected to know and understand all of the varied systems that work? A tall expectation.

The basic reason for having a basic standard test is to have the CTW be accepted for what it is. The CTW is what the industry should expect any climber to be able to do, a basic tree climb.

In the knot test the climber shows how to tie a BH or TL and does an on rope rest. We allowed climbers to use any climbing hitch/system in the test. They tied in, stretched their rope, did a thrust off the ground and did an on rope test so that we could see that the system was functioning. The climber does need to use BT to ascend from the ground to the first tie in point. From there to the main TIP and while they move around the tree they can use anything that they want.

The CTW is a valuable certification program. For some arborists it may be the only cert that they will ever get. For others it will be the starting point for their career long journey of education.

there is way too much chatter about how our profession isn't thought to be professional. Consumers may have a different opinion if there were more Certified practioners. A while ago I saw an ad for a windshield replacement company who stated in big, bold letters that all of their 'technicians' were 'certified'. Exactly what that means bears investigation. I'll bet that the cert is company provided rather than industry driven. Either way...it does seem to raise the bar for other windshield replacement companies.
 
I bristled at the requirements you mention, too. Either we should be able to climb the way we are comfortable, or we should really get back to basics--i.e., You get a rope, tie your own saddle, and go for it. I do see Tom's points, though.

And no matter how much I prefer to footlock, while moving around the tree I think we all sometimes have to body thrust--it's a required skill for the work. Further, I think any climber should know the TL or Blake's--maybe the day you have to do a rescue, there isn't a handy VT cord and you'll have to tie in with the tail of a rope.

As for the cert. itself: As a consumer, I would hire a crew of CTW's to work on my own trees over a non-certified crew with a CA salesman any day. In our meeting of proctors before the exam, someone said he had seen a job proposal that required all climbers to be CTW's. Now, there's a standard that's ahead of its time (anyone know of an all-CTW crew?). But I hope its time is coming soon.

I also see great benefits to employer/employee--it may not tell you someone is a great climber, but at least you know you can give potential hirees the right gear and expect them to know how to use it correctly. That's huge considering how often I've seen new "climbers" with "years of experience" in the job who can't get in the tree without a ladder.

good luck on the test, familytree. Your boss sounds like a dinosaur--he'll be gone someday, but with luck you'll still be climbing. Kudos for working to improve your marketability in the future.

k
 
I became a CTW about 6 months prior to becoming a CA back in'04 I believe. A date conflict caused me to miss the UA exam in March so I may shoot for both the UA and the Municipal exams for next spring. Being self employed the Cert's are to make myself a better arborist on the whole. I have met CA that weren't worth a damn in a tree and some that OVER thought and OVER rigged relativley simple removals. I'd be more inclined to hire a CTW over a CA. I did just purchase the ISA Certification Study Guide and audio cd set for Sue and I feel she will past the test next spring.
On another note I sent in paper work to be a proctor and had it signed off by our chapter president back in the fall of '04 but never heard a word back about it from the ISA.
 
I forgot to mention it but I thought the CTW test was a good primer for the CA exam. I had always heard that the tree ID part of the exam was so tough but after doing the tree ID for the CTW I was less worried about it during the CA exam.
 
kman, that is something else that concerned me about the test. For tree I'd. What are they looking for exactly? Latin terms as well? Or do we need to understand the trees reaction to certain rigging senarios? How much of the test rest on tree I'd alone?

Thanks for all the responses. My boss is a dinosaur. He is fighting the ISA cert tooth and nail as well, but then again, he would still be topping and spiking if I didn't refuse to do it. I'm just glad I have folks to turn to that still encourage education. If it wasnt for this site, I'm sure I'd still be spiking and topping everything as well
 
I just recently did the ISA CTW test and the tree id portion during the written part was very small. Photos were provided and latin names were used. I received a list of tree with both latin and common names to study from. Details of how the written portion are weighted were online.
The 'tree climbers guide' is the recommended study guide for the CTW I believe.
gl
 
thanks eric. I am pretty good with tree I'd, I know slang terms, common names but am almost at a loss for Latin terminology. Def. Something I'm going to need to study more profusely.

Tree climbers guide is on the way via ups. Thanks for the input thus far gents. I WILL be asking much more I can promise you that
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Those proctors all need to know what is being tested and what isn't acceptable. At the testing yesterday all of the proctors are career long climbers. In some chapters the only volunteers may be people who have never been climbing arborists. How can they be expected to know and understand all of the varied systems that work? A tall expectation.


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Good point.
 
Study your Latin! Only true way to name a specific tree. The ISA test is pretty easy, they give you the answers! Its all multiple choice even the ID section. They put 11x8" photos out with 4 choices under it, you pick A-D. There are only 10 ID question on the CA exam and all were easy!

Good Luck!
 
It's pretty easy, photos of the tree and leaves and multiple choice. I used to hear a lot of BS on how hard the tree ID portion was but I thought it was pretty easy.
 
Thanks for putting a light at the end of the tunnel for me guys. I've been swamped with tests recently. I'm currently studying for my ca, climber cert, motorcycle licence and cdl all in one shot. All help is much appreciated.

Only 10 I'd questions, really. Is that for the climbers cert test or ISA cert? I was told I needed to study over 250 differnent trees
 
(anyone know of an all-CTW crew?).

The city of Minnneapolis is pushing to have all its climbers Certified. They have put more people through the exam here the last 4 years than all the commercial guys combined.

Pierce
 
Also watch some of the ID question for some easy ones. I had two or three questions that where no brainers because all of the other trees where not on the list.
 
Writing the CTW before you write the CA exam is a great idea, at least it was for me.It allows you to get comfortable with the format and how they word alot of questions.I found alot of the same questions on both exams including tree identification pictures.Don't get hung up on the latin because they provide both latin and common names on the tests.Once you have booked your exam date they will send you a list of trees you need to know according to your area.Kowing this list will allow you to eliminate wrong answers accordingly.I found the pictures provided were very average so take your time.Good luck.
 
interesting point arborcut, i am not looking to take my ctw in my area,which may involve tree id im not familiar with, such as cottonwoods, probably others. i am driving down to washington dc to take it, the last time nj tried to have a ctw test, no one signed up, or at least not enough people signed up, ive been writing back and forth to the isanj folks and they are checking to see if it is okay for me to take the test in dc and still have the credits here in nj

my boss yet again tried to talk me out of taking the test today, more fuel to the fire!!
 
My CTW came through as an Ohio number because I was employed at the time by ACRT which was based in Ohio and then my CA came through as a NY number. Upon renewal last year they both came through as NY numbers.
 
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