Certified Treecare Safety Professional

TCIA’s Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) program is the only individual safety credentialing program in the industry and is designed to address several of the safety challenges that tree care companies face.

The ideal CTSP shares attributes of a coach, including:

  • Good communication skills

  • Strong instructional skills
  • Model behavior that leads to a safer work environment

Eligibility Requirements

To become eligible for the Certified Treecare Safety Professional program, you must meet at least one of following requirements:

  • Three years of technical field experience in tree care with at least one year of assumed responsibility for safety (i.e., crew leader, trainer, safety committee member, emergency responder, certified CPR/first aid provider, etc.)

  • Six months technical field experience in arboriculture and one year in a professional safety position

  • Two- or four-year degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Ornamental/Environmental Horticulture, Natural Resources, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety or other related field with an internship that provided technical field experience

Municipal and Utility Arborists:

Although your employers are ineligible for TCIA membership, the CTSP program extends TCIA member pricing to you for enrollment and certification workshops as a professional courtesy.

Please call 800-733-2622 for details.

Why CTSP?

Employees

A CTSP does more than simply educate a team in safe work practices. As a safety “coach,” a CTSP works to develop and nurture a safe work environment in four key areas:

  • Leadership
  • Hazard identification
  • Incident control and prevention
  • Adult learning

This program provides you with a well-rounded education in safety concepts, plus the tools needed to effectively communicate on the job site.

Employers

Safety programs are a small investment in the longevity and profitability of your business. Having a CTSP on staff will help:

  • Increase production and reduce time lost to employee injuries and accidents
  • Favorable perception by insurers and regulatory entities for taking proactive safety measures
  • Market your safety commitment to potential and current customers

“Safety is not a component of this certification, it is the certification.”
– John Ball, CTSP

The CTSP Process

  1. Enroll
    Candidates should first log into TCIA website using the “SIGN IN” link located on the top, then return to this page and click “ENROLL INTO CTSP” button below to complete the Enrollment Application.

    TCIA Member Non-Member
    Enrollment Fee  $65  $185
    Study Guide  $100  $150
    Total Enrollment Fees:  $165  $335

    ANSI Standard Z133 can be used during the exam as a reference. We highly suggest purchasing Z133 separately.

  2. Prepare
    Once enrolled, the candidate will receive an email with instructions on how to access the CTSP Study Guide and complete the homework assignments (Critical Thinking Exercises). The Study Guide and CTEs are designed to build your skills and knowledge of Safety Management. You will use Brightspace (TCIA Learning Management system) to study and complete the homework assignments.
  1. Participate + Certify
    Candidates will attend an Advanced Safety/Behavioral Workshop, which will cover teaching safety concepts, plus help candidates develop a coaching style based on their own company’s needs. We are currently hosting virtual workshops only until further notice The Virtual Workshop is comprised of One Day – Three, 2-hour segments with Two One-hour Breaks. Multiple workshops are held throughout the year. See the schedule below. You must complete Two previous steps to become eligible to attend the CTSP workshop and exam. The CTSP virtual exam will be proctored online using the ProctorFree software.
    The Workshop Fee:
    TCIA member – $430 Early Bird; After EB deadline $470
    Non-member – $605 Early Bird: After EB deadline $645
    $55 Exam surcharge is included in the price.
  1. If you do not pass the exam, you are allowed two retakes. The exam will be proctored online using the ProctorFree software. Fill out the Proctor Registration Form and submit it to TCIA to schedule the exam.
    The Exam fee – $55 per re-take
  1. Maintain + Renew Your CTSP
    CTSPs must always be developing their knowledge and expertise in safety through constant learning and growth, teaching others, implementing of CTSP’s teachings, and contributing to the intellectual property of the CTSP program. To maintain CTSP, candidates must also obtain 30 CEUs during their three-year recertification period and submit a renewal fee every three years.

If you have not yet earned your CTSP credential and need more time to attend the workshop and complete the exam, CLICK HERE to download the enrollment extension form.