Regarding Creation of an Arborist License in Oregon

[Evan Sussman]

Hi all,

This is really exciting to write about.

I wanted to share info about a deadline coming up that affects Oregon arborists, and has some impact on the greater arborist community as I expect that in this case OR is on the leading edge of more widespread recognition of our profession. I encourage you to participate in this process.

The following is an email that went out to the PNW ISA's OR based members as well as any Tree Service's who have requested to be on the PNW ISA mailing list.

If you didn't get the email and would like to get similar emails in the future, please reach out to PNW ISA.

From: Cristina Bowerman <ed@pnwisa.org>
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 3:52 PM
Subject: Update on LCB Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Creation of an Arborist License)

Good afternoon, everyone. I am reaching out to provide you with an update regarding the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). In late August, Justin Keane and I had a virtual meeting with CCB and LCB board members and staff to discuss issues and barriers facing arborists and tree care companies. The LCB was receptive to our concerns and proposed the creation of a new license for certified arborists. The proposal has evolved into rulemaking and is now subject to public feedback and recommendations. Attached you will find the LCB Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Justin and I have reviewed and discussed as we feel language and proposed rules need to be changed.

To aid in this effort, I have scheduled a virtual town hall meeting for next Tuesday, October 13th at 6 pm PDT. The meeting will occur online via GoToWebinar. Individuals can call-in, or view on a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. The goal of this meeting is to review what is being proposed by the LCB and determine what changes need to be made. We want arborists and tree care companies to come together and form one unified voice so that we can make changes to improve the current licensing that is required to operate your business in Oregon.

ACTION ITEMS:

To attend the GoToWebinar meeting on Tuesday, October 13th at 6 pm PDT, please click on this link. - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regi.../9207592256090458381

Review the LCB Notice of Proposed Rulemaking here:

https://pnwisa-my.sharepoint.com/.../EVuhIgEl0ShCm019O57X...

It is important to provide feedback to the LCB no later than 5 pm PDT on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5 pm PDT.

If you cannot attend, please email your recommendations directly to the LCB. Information can be found on the attached Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Remember, be sure to provide your feedback no later than 5 pm on Friday, October 23, 2020.

Thank you

Cristina

Cristina I. Bowerman, MNM, CAE

Executive Director

Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture

10793 SW Canterbury Ln, Ste. 104, Tigard, OR 97224

Cell: (470) 241-8192 | Email: ed@pnwisa.org | Website: www.pnwisa.org

 

[oldoakman]

Can anybody be involved with this town hall meeting? The Georgia Arborists Association is pursuing a similar issue here in Georgia and any shared information certainly would be helpful. No need to invent the wheel twice.

 

[evo]

@Evan Sussman this sounds great on paper, but without reading up on it will arbor companies owned by certified arbs be automatically accredited? Will this delete redundant licenses? From my understanding in Oregon you have to have a business lic, and a landscape license. So would this remove the need for the landscape licensing?

 

[Evan Sussman]

I

Can anybody be involved with this town hall meeting? The Georgia Arborists Association is pursuing a similar issue here in Georgia and any shared information certainly would be helpful. No need to invent the wheel twice.

The context is pretty specific to their existing licensing situation.

I think you'd be welcome to observe, but I'd just reccomended refraining from adding to the mix as I'm pretty sure there may be plenty of input to go around. Obviously if you see something that needs to be said do it.

 

[Evan Sussman]

@Evan Sussman this sounds great on paper, but without reading up on it will arbor companies owned by certified arbs be automatically accredited? Will this delete redundant licenses? From my understanding in Oregon you have to have a business lic, and a landscape license. So would this remove the need for the landscape licensing?

It's kind of a long deal to fully brief the context, but as it is a tree service in OR is normally licensed by the CCB, but they aren't allowed to plant as LCB regulates planting.

CCB does currently give an exception for LCB licensees to be allowed to do the pruning, removal, bracing, etc.

However the vast majority of tree services in OR operate with a CCB, and are just not allowed to plant trees.

This change would create a sub license or phase under LCB called "arborist". ONLY ISA Certified Arborists could get it, and they can pretty much get it right away. There is a general test on contracting they'd need to take.

So it's not exactly what you said, but this conversation does illustrate how confusing the situation is currently.

 

[evo]

It's kind of a long deal to fully brief the context, but as it is a tree service in OR is normally licensed by the CCB, but they aren't allowed to plant as LCB regulates planting.

CCB does currently give an exception for LCB licensees to be allowed to do the pruning, removal, bracing, etc.

However the vast majority of tree services in OR operate with a CCB, and are just not allowed to plant trees.

This change would create a sub license or phase under LCB called "arborist". ONLY ISA Certified Arborists could get it, and they can pretty much get it right away. There is a general test on contracting they'd need to take.

So it's not exactly what you said, but this conversation does illustrate how confusing the situation is currently.

If I remember correctly there was a city ordinance which only allowed ISA certified arbs to do tree work. It finished up with a lawsuit and repeal

 

[Daniel]

I don't like any law that requires or rewards ISA certification.

 

[Evan Sussman]

If I remember correctly there was a city ordinance which only allowed ISA certified arbs to do tree work. It finished up with a lawsuit and repeal

There could be.

This wouldn't prevent a non-certified person from doing tree work. They'd just have to get the CCB license, not the LCB - arborist license.

 

[Evan Sussman]

I don't like any law that requires or rewards ISA certification.

I think I could guess why. Not wanting to give authority to a third party?

What is your suggestion to raise the barrier to entry into arboriculture. I think it being raised is a good thing. While we'll always have hacks, the idea behind a required level of qualification raises the perception in the public eye of a trade.

Numerous other countries where our trade is better recognized do require licensing, apprenticeship, etc.

Should every state make their own independent license and testing process? I think MA and NJ do this, but haven't looked into it.

 

[Wrangler]

I think I could guess why. Not wanting to give authority to a third party?

What is your suggestion to raise the barrier to entry into arboriculture. I think it being raised is a good thing. While we'll always have hacks, the idea behind a required level of qualification raises the perception in the public eye of a trade.

Numerous other countries where our trade is better recognized do require licensing, apprenticeship, etc.

Should every state make their own independent license and testing process? I think MA and NJ do this, but haven't looked

Check out njtreeexperts.org