EVENTS PROVIDING ISA CEUS

This list contains upcoming events that we are aware of and also includes courses that we know have been canceled as well. Nearly all of them provide opportunities to earn ISA CEUs that help you maintain your ISA certifications. While we may not have links for each event that direct you to specific registration information, we do try to provide contact information so you can learn more about the event. NOTE: Not all events listed are sponsored or co-sponsored by ISA Southern Chapter and the Chapter is not responsible for those events.

WEBINAR/EVENT OPPORTUNITIES Many of the event organizers and hosts listed below provide clear instruction for obtaining a CEU credit for attending a webinar. ISA policy currently provides that you must watch the content as a live webinar to earn a CEU through the pre-approval process established by the webinar developer and host. This typically means that you must pre-register for the webinar event, just like attending a workshop. Each webinar developer and host will have a different registration process. Read the instructions on their website carefully to insure that understand how to receive CEU credit.

If you know of opportunities we haven’t listed, you can email us and we’ll get it posted!

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

September 10, 2025 8:30am - 4:30pm
FALL 2025 SCAW
Saluda Shoals Park
5606 Bush River Rd
Columbia, SC 29212
Trees SC is delighted to invite you to join us for the Fall South Carolina Arborist Workshop, an engaging and informative gathering designed for professionals and enthusiasts eager to deepen their knowledge of arboriculture. This event will feature hands-on demonstrations, expert-led sessions, and valuable networking opportunities with fellow arborists from across the region. Whether you are looking to expand your skills or stay up-to-date with the latest industry practices, the workshop promises to be both educational and inspiring. We look forward to welcoming you and cultivating a thriving community dedicated to the care and preservation of our cherished trees. Info and registration HERE.

September 10, 2025 5:00pm - 8:00pm (Eastern)
SEPTEMBER 2025 CAA MEETING
Bartlett Research Labs
13768 Hamilton Rd
Charlotte, NC 28278
The presentation and tour will provide first-hand information on successful pruning techniques, best plant selection, and details about research currently conducted by Bartlett. Info at education@caa-nc.org.

September 11-12, 2025
GREAT NC TREE CONFERENCE
Wyndham Gardens Greensboro
415 S Swing Rd,
Greensboro, NC 27409
Join the NC Urban Forest Council for its 2-day conference. Indoor session on September 11 will feature keynote speakers and 3 concurrent tracks: Tree Preservation, Operations, and Business. The final session of the day will be a panel of tree care representatives from Western NC discussing recovery progress and lessons from Helene. Outdoor session on September 12 will be held at Country Park in Greensboro, and will discuss different tree care priorities throughout different portions of the park district, a walking tour of the historic park elements, and a session from local emergency medical professionals demonstrating what response should look like when you or a crew member is severely injured on the job. Info and registration HERE.

September 18, 2025 Noon Eastern COMMON TREE PESTS IN THE SOUTHEAST WEBINAR Presenter: Lee Rumble Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) is hosting this webinar. This session will begin with an introduction to Plant Health Care (PHC) principles and then focus on identifying key insect and disease pests impacting trees in Tennessee and the surrounding region. While not diving deeply into entomological life cycles, Lee will highlight when these pests typically appear and share practical guidance on monitoring and management strategies. Whether you're a tree care professional or a curious land steward, this presentation will provide useful tools to support tree health through informed decision-making. Info and Registration HERE

September 24, 2025 3:00-4:00pm Eastern
MODERN TECHNOLOGIES IN URBAN FORESTRY
WEBINAR Presenters: Keith Hennig and Dr. Brice Zoungrana, ArborPro Inc.
NC Urban Forest Council is hosting this webinar. Join Keith Hennig and Dr. Brice Zoungrana from ArborPro Inc. to learn about modern technology usage in urban forestry and urban landscaping, including the usage of drones, LiDAR, and multispectral imaging. Learn not only about data collection, but analysis and real-world implementation of findings. New technological improvements, including the use of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence can more accurately and easily understand vegetation health from aerial imagery. We will finish with the discussion of data usage, including in disaster response- identifying hazardous vegetation and trees for removal and using data to support insurance claims, and in urban management systems, with urban forest management plans and vegetation management systems. Infor and Registration HERE

September 26-27, 2025 (Fri-Sat) 8:00AM - 4:00pm (Central) TREE BIOMECHANICS WORKSHOP The Waterfront at Greenwood Community Park 13350 LA-19 Baton Rouge, LA 70714 Presenter: Frank Rinn and Andrew Lloyd, Ph.D. Plan to join the ISA Southern Chapter at this high-level workshop at The Waterfront in Greenwood Community Park.  The event is cosponsored by the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC); Louisiana Community Forests; Louisiana State University Ag Center, and Bayou Tree.   Consider attending if you are an arborist or someone with a keen interest in how trees grow, respond to stress, and how they fall apart!

This two-day event features some of the premier experts in the arboriculture world.  Frank Rinn is known for literally “writing the book” and “inventing the equipment” that practitioners use to understand tree decay, tree responses to decay, and organisms responsible for decay. Much of the tree biomechanics material used in professional credentials was developed by Frank. He regularly sells out the venue for his workshops. Andrew Loyd, Ph.D., is Plant Pathologist with Bartlett Tree Experts based out of Houston Texas.  With a focus on woody plant health management, he has research projects in multiple states with government, academic, and non-profit research collaborators. In addition to his research, Andrew provides technical support to Bartlett arborists in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, and Texas.  

Southern Chapter sponsored this event at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina two years ago and ended up over-selling to accommodate demand. Be sure to register early. This event will sell out. 13 ISA CEUs are pending. Info and Registration HERE

September 30, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (on-line) Co-hosted event with ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Midwestern Chapters This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those that already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. After you attend the course, ISA will send you information about completing the exam process. Please read “Virtual TRAQ Renewal Info for Candidates” to be very clear about the course prerequisites and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Registration will close when class capacity is reached or 30 days prior to the class, whichever comes first. Register early!!

Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is after September 30, 2025. Do not register if your TRAQ credential will expire prior to the class date. Your eligible renewal window begins 18 months prior to your expiration date. Attending a renewal course and successfully completing the exams prior to your expiration date will result in five years being added to your current expiration date. 

If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be cancelled and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee.

This is the last TRAQ renewal course that will be offered.

Click HERE to Register for September 30, 2025 Renewal Course (Closes August 29 or when capacity of 40 is reached)

November 5, 2025
2025 Trees SC Pre-Conference Tour
Spartanburg, SC
Join Trees SC for an immersive pre-conference tour that brings Strategic Connections to life ... literally! Explore premier arboretums, cutting-edge magnolia trials, and hands-on demonstrations of tree decay testing technology. This full-day experience blends science, scenery, and CEU opportunities as we visit the Spartanburg Community College Arboretum, Milliken Research Facility, and Wofford College. From walking tours under the canopy to hands-on demonstrations and expert-led discussions, this is your chance to connect with nature, knowledge, and fellow professionals before the main event kicks off. Space is limited. Registration HERE.

November 6-7, 2025
2025 Trees SC Annual Conference - Strategic Connections
Spartanburg, SC
Make plans to join Trees SC in downtown Spartanburg, SC, for the 2025 TreesSC Annual Conference, where Strategic Connections come to life for professionals shaping the future of our urban forests. This year’s program is designed for urban tree care professionals and enthusiasts who are driving innovation and stewardship in their communities. Dive into timely topics like biochar applications, tree resilience, vegetation management technology, and collaborative planning strategies. With expert-led sessions, dynamic breakout discussions, networking opportunities, and valuable CEUs, this conference will equip you with the insights and relationships to elevate your work. Registration HERE.

November 17-19, 2025 8:00AM - 5:00pm (Eastern) PRSCRIPTION PRUNING QUALIFICATION WORKSHOP - PPQ City of Charlotte Special Services Division 1105 Otts Street Charlotte NC 28205 Presenters: Dr. Ed Gilman and Nick Markley Developed by the Florida Chapter of ISA, the Prescription Pruning Qualification Workshop (PPQ) offers one-day and three-day options. The one day option for Producers (tree workers) offers clarity for tree workers that appreciate clear goals for each pruning task. The three-day course includes two days of training and demonstrations culminating in an exam. The successful candidate will receive the Prescription Pruning Qualification being recognized nationwide. You must be an ISA Certified Arborist to attend the qualification course. However, it is not required to attend DAY ONE ONLY.

This new pruning paradigm shifts the decision of which branches to prune from the production arborist that may be operating without a clear goal about the pruning job, to an informed prescriber. It establishes a protocol resulting in consistency between the arborist preparing the prescription and the production arborist. The PPQ credential, offered to three day class attendees, teaches you how to prescribe and perform pruning in accordance with industry standards and ISA’s BMP, which is supported by the latest research and experience.

ISA Southern Chapter proudly acknowledges our sponsors: City of Charlotte, Rainbow Ecoscience, Charlotte Arborist Association, and the North Carolina Urban Forestry Council, and the North Carolina Forest Service.

TWO TRACKS ARE OFFERED:

  • PRODUCERS (Day One only; Nov 17) - ISA Certification not a prerequisite. This is a one-day session with extreme value for those who work in trees. Dr. Gilman provides attendees with an understading and appreciation of proper pruning based on clear goals and communication. Producer attendees receive a certificate of attendance. There is no exam.

  • PRESCIBERS (Day One, Two, and Three: Nov 17-19) - Must be an ISA Certified Arborist. Prescribers attend Day One and then return for Day Two and the review and exams on Day Three.  The second and third day of training focus on preparing pruning prescriptions using many examples which include outdoor exercises. This is an interactive program with many activities. There is a review and a multiple choice exam on the third day. Those passing the exam become PPQ Qualified through the Florida Chapter of ISA.

This course is a rising star in the arboriculture world. Plan to attend and register soon. We will reach capacity and sell out this course. Info and Registration HERE


November 19-20, 2025
PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY FORESTRY CONFERENCE Organized by the Arbor Day Foundation Hendersonville, Nevada
Our friends at the The Arbor Day Foundation are thrilled to announce that the 2025 Partners in Community Forestry Conference and partnering events will be held in Henderson, Nevada from November 19-20. Additional information HERE.

December 12, 2025       8:30am-12:30pm Eastern ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST, UTILITY SPECIALIST, MUNICIPAL SPECIALIST EXAM Guilford County Extension Center
3309 Burlington Road
Greensboro, NC 27405

ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist written exams are scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025. Applicants for each exam must register by November 24, 2025 at the ISA website. If you’re new to ISA, you’ll need to create an ISA profile at creating or logging in to your ISA account. Registering for an exam includes 2 steps. First, you must complete an application for your selected credential. On your ISA profile, find the link “Apply for an ISA Certification” Complete the application for your selected credential. Second, once the application is submitted and approved by ISA, you can register for an exam. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of registering for an exam as it can take several weeks to get a submitted application approved.