Arborist / Tree Surgeon / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Arborist / Tree Surgeon License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides tree care services. Licensed in some states and cities.

What the Illinois data shows for Arborist / Tree Surgeons

Illinois's path to arborist / tree surgeon licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam. Illinois folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Training/Certification".

Upfront cost is $50 on a 3-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Illinois, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Illinois handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

A+
Licensing Ease Score
90/100
Arborist / Tree Surgeon · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A+
$50
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Training/Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Arborist / Tree Surgeon All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $50.
How do I get certified as an Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed arborist / tree surgeon in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Arborist / Tree Surgeon license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Illinois doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for arborist / tree surgeons; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Illinois licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Illinois require a background check for Arborist / Tree Surgeon licensing? ▼
Illinois does not currently require a criminal background check for arborist / tree surgeon licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.

Related Guides

What to do with this arborist / tree surgeon license

Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Illinois is one requirement row in an arborist / tree surgeon-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.