Massachusetts Certified Arborist Program (MCA)

MCA Examining Committee | MCA CD Study Guide | Study Guide Updates | Recertification

Building professionals, enhancing businesses, and protecting consumers.

The Massachusetts Arborists Association (MAA) is proud to sponsor the Massachusetts Certified Arborists (MCA) program. The MCA program is a voluntary certification program initiated in 1957 by leading Massachusetts arborists. Since the program’s inception, more than 800 tree care professionals have obtained the MCA designation.

The purpose of the MCA program is to raise the level of public awareness as to the importance of working with trained professionals, and to provide a means of self-improvement and continuing education for the certified professional.

In short, the MCA program helps to build professionals, enhance businesses, and protect consumers.

New MCA Study Guide Version 2.0

An essential resource & comprehensive guide for Massachusetts tree care professionals.

MAA is pleased to announce that the newly updated Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) Study Guide version 2.0 will be available at New England Grows – February 1 – 3, 2012 in Boston, MA.

The updated and improved MCA Study Guide CD serves as a primer for MCA exam candidates, as well as a comprehensive resource for tree care professionals. The new study guide was developed by the MCA examining committee along with a team of experts from the University of Massachusetts including Mike Davidsohn, Dennis Ryan and Bob Childs.

“We are enormously grateful to the dedicated members of the MCA examining committee,” said MAA president Mike Maley, MCA. “This new study guide represents years of painstaking work on the part of our volunteers. Their professionalism and careful attention to detail really shows in the final product --- it’s a fantastic industry resource!” he said.

The new study guide features updated tutorials, improved tree identification, best practices, user-friendly navigation, as well as two new chapters: Wood Decay in Urban Trees by Chris Luley, Ph.D. and Plant Health Care & Integrated Pest Management by Bob Childs.

“We are proud to have produced this effective study guide that will also serve as a reference guide with practical information on topics ranging from tree biology and identification to current safety regulations” said MCA Committee Chairman, Dennis Panu, MCA. “I tip my hat to everyone who served alongside me on the study guide revision committee – job well done!” he concluded.

The MCA is a voluntary certification program initiated in 1957 by leading Massachusetts arborists. The MCA examination is designed to assess the fundamental knowledge and core competencies that all tree care professionals should possess, regardless of their area of practice. Currently, about 900 tree care professionals have earned the designation of Massachusetts Certified Arborists.

The MCA Examination is held twice a year – in early April and October. It is typically held at 8:30 a.m. at the MHS Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Registration is required at least two weeks prior to the examination. The first exam based on the material found in the new MCA Study Guide version 2.0 will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012.

The MCA Study Guide CD version 2.0 is available for $95 to MAA members and $195 for non-members. Those who currently hold version 1.0 of the MCA Study Guide can upgrade to the latest version for $35.00. This special upgrade offer is only available through March 30, 2012. Examination fees are $75 for MAA members and $150 for non-members.

A reminder: If you are studying to take the Massachusetts Certified Arborist Exam based on Version 1 of our curriculum, you need to be prepared to take the exam in spring of 2012. The fall 2012 exam will be based on the new Version 2.0 Study Guide.

Our next MCA Exam is scheduled for April 13, 2012. I hope to see you there!

Learn more about the new MCA program at Grows

UMass Instructor Mike Davidsohn, MCLP, along with the MCA committee, developed the latest version of the MCA Study Guide CD. The new CD will be unveiled at New England Grows along with a session highlighting the features and benefits of the entire MCA program. The MCA program overview is tentatively scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 2. Watch for more information coming soon.

NEW MCA Study Guide Version 2.0 CD - members. Order here
NEW MCA Study Guide Version 2.0 CD - non members. Order here

Click here to download the brochure for mail or fax orders

The MCA program examinations are prepared, conducted and corrected under the direction of the MCA Examining Committee. Solely and exclusively a voluntary certification program, it is not in any way connected with any agency of the government. This independence, so typical of our great Northeastern spirit, ensures that the MCA program will serve our companies, our employees, and our customers with integrity and benefit them for years to come.