2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Arborist / Tree Surgeon License Requirements

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the Minnesota data shows for Arborist / Tree Surgeons

Minnesota's path to arborist / tree surgeon licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam. Minnesota 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 Minnesota, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Minnesota reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Minnesota

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
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $50.
How do I get certified as an Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Minnesota?
To become a licensed arborist / tree surgeon in Minnesota, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Minnesota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Arborist / Tree Surgeon license to Minnesota from another state?
Minnesota 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 Minnesota licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Arborist / Tree Surgeon licensing?
Minnesota does not currently require a criminal background check for arborist / tree surgeon licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.

What to do with this arborist / tree surgeon license

Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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.