The Department may examine an applicant for license as a tree expert and pass upon the competence of the applicant. It will issue a “tree expert” license to any applicant, who:

1. Pays the fee provided in § 5-419 of the Natural Resources Article;
2. Has attained 18 years of age;
3. Meets either of the qualifying criteria below:
• Has had 2 years of approved college education in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, applied agricultural sciences, or the equivalent education and a minimum of 1 year of experience with a licensed tree expert in Maryland or with an acceptable tree expert company in another state; or
• For at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of application has been engaged continuously in practice as a tree expert with a licensed tree expert in Maryland or with an acceptable tree expert company in another state; and
4. Has passed the examination given by the Department.
5. Every licensee must carry and show proof of liability and property damage insurance, in the form and amount required by the Department at the time it issues the license. The licensee must maintain the insurance protection for the period the license is in effect.

By obtaining licensure, all individuals are expected to adhere to the set of responsibilities as enumerated in COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 08.07.07. Failure to comply with any of these provisions, including any in COMAR not listed below, may be justification for the Department to take legal action against an individual licensee.

Responsibility to the Public

1. In rendering professional services, a licensed tree expert shall comply in all respects with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to tree expert services.
2. A licensed tree expert may not engage in any form of false or misleading advertising or promotional activities, including, but not limited to, the falsification or misrepresentation of:
1. The work of a licensed tree expert or of an individual employed by the tree expert;
2. The academic or professional qualifications or affiliations of the licensed tree expert; or
3. The experience or licensing status of the licensed tree expert.
3. A licensed tree expert may not use private property adjacent to a client's property as work area, or to gain access to the client's property, without the private property owner's written permission.
4. A licensed tree expert shall ensure the safe operation of all equipment used in the performance of tree expert services.
5. In the performance of tree expert services, a licensed tree expert shall make every reasonable effort to protect the safety, health, property, and welfare of the public.
6. A licensed tree expert shall cooperate fully with the Department of Natural Resources Forest Service in an investigation or adjudication of an alleged violation of tree expert statutes or regulations and, upon request, shall provide copies of documents to the Department of Natural Resources.
7. A licensed tree expert shall, within a reasonable time, inform the Department of Natural Resources Forest Service in writing of a change in address, telephone number, or employment.

Responsibility to the Client

1. A licensed tree expert shall perform tree expert services only if qualified to do so by education or experience.
2. In performing tree expert services, a licensed tree expert shall act with reasonable care and competence, and shall apply technical knowledge and skills according to American National Standards Institute published tree care industry standards as incorporated by reference in Regulation .02 of this chapter.
3. A licensed tree expert may not knowingly assume or accept any position in which the licensed tree expert's interests conflict with the licensee's professional responsibilities unless the facts are disclosed by the licensee and consented to in writing by the client or employer.
4. A licensed tree expert shall enter into a written contract with the client which shall clearly convey the:
1. Licensed tree expert's name, license number, name of licensee's business entity, address, and phone number;
2. Name, address, and phone number of the client;
3. Objective and scope of services;
4. Anticipated dates of the licensed tree expert's work on the project;
5. Implications of any deviation from ANSI standards incorporated under Regulation .02 of this chapter;
6. Amount and method of remuneration for the services; and
7. Dated signatures of the licensed tree expert or the licensed tree expert's designee and the client or the client's designee.
5. Any amendments to the contract shall be in writing and signed and dated by both the licensed tree expert or the licensed tree expert's designee and the client or the client's designee.
6. A licensed tree expert may not accept compensation from more than one employer for the same service unless all parties involved are informed and consent.
7. A licensed tree expert may not exploit clients served professionally by:
1. Accepting a tree care project if benefit cannot reasonably be expected to accrue to the tree or trees or to the client;
2. Continuing treatment when benefit cannot reasonably be expected to accrue to the tree or trees or to the client;
3. Charging for services not rendered;
4. Failing to fully inform clients served of the nature and possible effects of services rendered; or
5. Misrepresenting services rendered.
8. A licensed tree expert who anticipates the termination or interruption of service during the term of a contract shall notify the client promptly.

Responsibility to Other Licensed Tree Experts and the Profession

1. A licensed tree expert shall pursue all professional endeavors with honesty, integrity, fairness, and professionalism.
2. A licensed tree expert may only take credit for services performed by the licensed tree expert directly or by the licensed tree expert's firm under the licensed tree expert's supervision and direction.
3. A licensed tree expert shall adhere to and maintain standards of professional conduct that reflect in a responsible manner on the profession.
4. A licensed tree expert shall disclose associations with multiple tree care companies to each tree care company for which the licensee provides tree care services or supervision of tree care services.

Exam Study Guide

Exam Domains and Pass Rates (forthcoming)

Directions and Parking Information

The Department proctors an in-person examination at the Tawes State Office Building building in Annapolis ten times per year, generally on the second Wednesday of each month (except for June and August). The Department will begin registration approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time. You will need to sign in at the front desk in the lobby. A valid driver's license or other photo ID is required.

Exams begin at 9:00 am. No one will be admitted after the session has started.

The exam has ten weighted sections or domains. The questions are in multiple choice formats. A passing score of 70% is required for each individual domain, as well as for the overall test. There are 140 questions, 14 in each domain. No reference information may be used during the examination session.

Upon completion of the exam, examinees will be provided with a report that advises whether they passed or failed any domain taken as well as whether they passed or failed the overall exam.

To register for the examination, or find out more information about examination dates, please contact Veronica Guerra at lte.dnr@maryland.gov.

Note:
The facilities of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability. If you or someone you are associated with has a reading disability or literacy issue, we will provide reasonable accommodation if given reasonable notice. Please contact Veronica Guerra at lte.dnr@maryland.gov at least two weeks prior to your exam date to make any necessary arrangements.

Catalog of CEU Opportunities

Approved Online CEU Opportunities (2025)

CEU Approval Form, pre-event

CEU Approval Form, post-event

Licensed Tree Experts are required to obtain 8 continuing education credits (CEUs) over the two year period prior to their renewal in order to ensure that they are current in their knowledge of tree care and are operating in a safe manner.

To view our record of your continuing education credits, please visit our TreeService database here. To log into your LTE account, you will need your email address, last name, and LTE# to submit a query.

Apply to Renew a License (PDF Application)

Applications are due January 1 and must be received no later than January 31st. Individuals that experience a lapse of license by failing to renew their license by the due date following the last year of licensure must re-apply for licensure and pass the current version of the licensing exam.

License renewals are staggered every two years, meaning that licensees that renewed in December 2024 have from January 1, 2025 to December 2026 to obtain the 8 CEUs required to be considered in good standing.

Tree Trimming & Removal Safety Bulletin [MOSH]

Mid-Atlantic Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture (MAC-ISA)
Phone: 703-753-0499

Maryland Arborist Association (MAA)
Phone: Toll-free 1-888-MD-TREES (638-7337)

Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
Phone: 1-800-733-2622

American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)
Phone: 301-947-0483