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

Washington 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 Washington data shows for Arborist / Tree Surgeons

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

Budget $50 to get started on a 3-year cycle. Washington doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Washington

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Washington? ▼
In Washington, the license path calls for, a passing exam score, and a $50 initial fee.
How do I get certified as an Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed arborist / tree surgeon in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Arborist / Tree Surgeon license to Washington from another state? ▼
Washington 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 Washington licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Washington require a background check for Arborist / Tree Surgeon licensing? ▼
Washington doesn't condition arborist / tree surgeon licensure on a criminal background check, though employers in the field may impose their own screening requirements.

Related Guides

What to do with this arborist / tree surgeon license

Arborist / Tree Surgeon in Washington 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 Washington 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.