2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Arborist / Tree Surgeon License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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

What the Virginia data shows for Arborist / Tree Surgeons

Becoming a licensed arborist / tree surgeon in Virginia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on a state-approved exam. Virginia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Training/Certification".

The initial price tag is $50 every 3 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Virginia, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Virginia 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 · Virginia

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 Virginia

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 Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Virginia?
Virginia's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $50.
How do I get certified as an Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Virginia?
Certification as an arborist / tree surgeon in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Arborist / Tree Surgeon license to Virginia from another state?
Out-of-state arborist / tree surgeon credentials get a case-by-case review in Virginia rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Virginia licensing board.
Does Virginia require a background check for Arborist / Tree Surgeon licensing?
Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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.