SOLD OUT
The Fall TRAQ class is full. If you would like to be put on a waiting list, please send a request to team@njaisa.com. We will be offering a Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 TRAQ course. Information to register for 2027 offerings will be available June 1, 2026.
The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) is a voluntary qualification program designed to train and assess candidates in a specialized field of arboriculture. When a professional earns the ISA TRAQ credential, they will be recognized by their peers and the public as a tree care professional who has specialized knowledge in tree risk assessment. To earn the qualification, eligible candidates must complete a training course, and pass both a comprehensive written assessment and a performance-based assessment.
ISA has recently announced changes to the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification program (TRAQ), effective November 2025.
Updates coming in November include:
A new full course agenda, course manual, and a new TRAQ form
A 7-year credential for the full TRAQ course and passed exams (after November 2025)
No more renewals: all credential holders are required to re-take the the course and exams after 7 years.
Our TRAQ qualification program will be held at Monument Hall in Princeton, NJ. On October 13-15 the training will run from 8:00am-5pm and lunch will be provided on these days. The exam will be held Thursday, October 15 in two parts: a practical, field exam and a written exam. The exam is the culmination of this qualification course. Please note that successful completion of our fall course and your exams will result in a TRAQ qualification with a seven-year duration.
Please note that non-ISA members will be charged an additional $45. Additionally, you will receive a digital version of the manual. There will be a hard copy of the manual and clipboards available for purchase on site during the course. Registration will close on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Thank you for your interest in this important qualification, we hope to see you in October.
Registrants who are unable to attend may request a cancellation and refund provided the ISA has not yet closed the course roster. Approved cancellations will receive a refund of the registration fee minus a $35 processing fee. Once the ISA has closed the course roster, we are unable to issue refunds. All refund requests must be submitted in writing to team@njaisa.com.
Date: October 13-15, 2026
Location: Monument Hall, Princeton MunicipalityOne Monument Drive, Princeton NJ 08540
Instructor: Lindsey Purcell
Price: $750 for applicants who are BOTH NJ Chapter members and ISA members (you must have both memberships current at the time of the course) and $795 for non-chapter members and/or non-ISA members
Please confirm that you have an active membership with the NJ Chapter and the ISA prior to selecting a registration option below. If you need assistance in confirming your NJ Chapter membership status, please email njarboristsisa@gmail.com or call 856-343-7571. You will still have to pay the extra fee if you are not a member once ISA reviews our roster. Please be sure of your selection!)
MORE ABOUT TRAQ
The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) is a voluntary qualification program designed to train and assess candidates in a specialized field of arboriculture. When a professional earns the ISA TRAQ credential, they should be recognized by their peers and the public as a tree care professional who has specialized knowledge in tree risk assessment. To earn the qualification, eligible candidates must complete a training course, and pass both a comprehensive written assessment and a performance-based assessment. To maintain the qualification, current credential holders must retrain and retest every five years.
The program offers tree care professionals the opportunity to learn a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk and providing information to tree owners and risk managers when making decisions that will promote the safety of people and property and enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity. Upon successful completion of the program, qualified professionals:
are proficient with the fundamentals of limited-visual and basic tree risk assessment, as defined in ISA’s Best Management Practices: Tree Risk Assessment;
understand the principles of advanced diagnostic techniques for assessing tree risk;
know how to gather and synthesize information needed to assess tree risk; and
can make reasoned judgments and recommendations for mitigating identified risk.
Eligibility
Eligibility can be met by having earned one of the following credentials or designations:
ISA Certified Arborist® or ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®
ISA TRAQ
A degree in arboriculture, urban forestry, traditional forestry, or horticulture that is part of a national qualifications framework or is from a college or university
A national certification or certificate in arboriculture
An approved arboriculture licensing or certification granted by a state/province
For a complete list of eligibility requirements and accepted credentials, please access the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Application Guide.
Course and Assessment
The full program consists of a two-day educational course followed by a half-day of assessments that include both written and performance-based components. Eligible candidates must attend the course and successfully complete both assessments in order to receive this qualification.
When registering for an ISA TRAQ event, candidates must agree to the terms, conditions, and policies outlined in the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Application Guide.
All course registrants will receive a digital copy of the Tree Risk Assessment Manual and a course workbook.