Vince Urbina Arborist School
Grow your arboriculture knowledge with this in-depth, science-based training.
The Vince Urbina Arborist School offers an engaging, Colorado-based online training experience designed for anyone passionate about trees and professional arboriculture who is looking to become a Certified Arborist. Over four weeks, participants take part in four, 8-hour virtual sessions led by seasoned experts who bring Colorado’s unique tree care challenges and opportunities to life.
The program builds a solid foundation in practical arboriculture skills while also preparing participants for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist exam. Graduates are invited to complete an in-person, ISA-proctored exam hosted by the Colorado State Forest Service at the CSU Spur Campus in Denver or schedule an online test through an ISA credentialed testing center once the course is completed.
Who Should Take This Training
The Vince Urbina Arborist School is designed for foresters, tree workers and climbers, landscape professionals, architects, parks, grounds and recreation staff, horticulturists, master gardeners, natural resource students and anyone else who wants to elevate their forestry knowledge and professional marketability.
What Participants Will Learn
This test-preparation training reviews the 16 chapters of the ISA Arborist Certification Study Guide (4th Edition) and covers the following topics:
- Tree biology
- Tree identification and selection
- Soil management
- Installation and establishment
- Pruning
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Trees and construction
- Tree risk
- Safe work practices
- Urban forestry
The training concludes with tips and guidance for taking the ISA Certified Arborist exam.
Arborist School Guarantee
If participants do not pass the ISA Certified Arborist exam, they may retake a future Arborist School training free of charge.
Next Offering of the Arborist School
Location: virtual (Zoom); requires a working camera and microphone
Dates: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST, Fridays, Jan. 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6, 2026
Cost: $500
-
- Participants must purchase their own copy of the ISA Arborist Certification Study Guide (4th Edition). The guide is not included in the cost of the training.
- Scaled discounts are available for organizations sending multiple employees.
- A limited number of scholarships may be available upon request.
Language: English; Spanish translation available upon request
Contact: [email protected] for additional information or special accommodations
Stay in the Loop!
Can’t make the next scheduled training? Fill out this form and the Colorado State Forest Service will let you know of future Arborist School dates, registration info and resources.
The Arborist School is named in honor of Vince Urbina, a centerpiece of urban forestry in Colorado for 50 years and former staff member of the Colorado State Forest Service.
May his unwavering commitment to education and community continue to inspire future generations.
The Vince Urbina Arborist School is a program of the Colorado State Forest Service and is not affiliated with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The CSFS fully supports the industry’s standard credentialing process by providing access to a certified ISA testing location.