About TRAQ

The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) course and credential provide an opportunity for professionals in the arboriculture industry to expand their knowledge through education and training in the fundamentals of tree risk assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment can provide tree owners and risk managers with the information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity.

The TRAQ course covers topics including Tree Biology and Mechanics, Tree Inspection and Assessment, Data Analysis and Risk Categorization, and Risk Reporting. It prepares the participants to take the TRAQ assessment to become ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified.

Earning the qualification requires attendance at a 2-day educational “full” course followed by a ½ day assessment that includes both a written exam and a field exam. The first two days are 8am-5pm and the third day (exam day) is 8am-noon. It is required that you attend the entire course and successfully complete the assessment in order to receive this qualification. 

Coffee and a light breakfast are provided each day, and lunch is provided the first two days. 

Registrants are responsible for organizing their own lodging.

14.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available

Instructor(s) for this course

Jimmy Walters is an ISA Certified Arborist®, a South Carolina Registered Forester, and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from Clemson University Forestry. After 40 years of service with the South Carolina Forestry Commission he retired as Program Coordinator for Urban and Community Forestry. He is a Charter member of South Carolina Urban and Community Forestry Council (now Trees SC), on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Vegetation Management Association, and active in the South Carolina Green Industry Association. He operates an arboricultural consulting firm, Urban Forest Advisors, LLC. A skilled teacher and public speaker, he is in demand to speak on a variety of tree-related topics at green industry workshops and conferences.

Skip Kincaid served on the ISA subject matter expert panel who developed the ISA TRAQ credential and has been teaching the course since its beginning. After more than 40 classes, he still has an appetite for sharing new information with the arboriculture community. Skip connects well with ISA TRAQ students and shares his experiences in the commercial, municipal, and consulting areas of arboriculture. Skip has completed tree risk assessments for dozens of major university campuses, historic landscapes, and prominent public parks. Skip is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® and an ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional and a Certified Forester (#1516) with Society of American Foresters.

Steps for Registering 

ISA has updated the process for TRAQ. Please take time to read the ISA TRAQ Application Guide, which provides details about the application process. 

Pre-requisites are required to register for the qualification: 

• If you hold a current ISA credential (ISA Certified Arborist, etc.) you may proceed with registering for this course.
• If you DO NOT hold an ISA credential, or you are uncertain about your eligibility to take a TRAQ course, you must complete an application with ISA. WATCH THIS VIDEO for instructions. Be sure that you submit your application to ISA well in advance of registering for the course and expect at least one week or more for ISA to approve your application. Only once your application with ISA is approved can you register for the course.

ISA reviews the course roster approximately 30 days prior to the course start date. You will be notified via email when the course roster is approved by ISA. This email communication will include how to access digital course materials for you to prepare for the program ahead of time. ISA no longer sends out physical copies. 

It is strongly suggested that you read the digital materials prior to the course. Not all of the materials on the exams will be covered in detail in the classroom. 

Southern Chapter provides hard copies of the TRAQ Manual and Clipboard to all registrants at no additional cost at the time of the course.

By registering for this course, you are agreeing to the CANCELLATION POLICY.

If you require any accommodations, you must submit the ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST FORM to ISA. Please note that it may take ISA several weeks to process a request. Please email the Southern Chapter separately at [email protected] to let them know you are requesting accommodations from ISA.

Southern Chapter Member Discount

Southern Chapter members receive an automatic $150 discount upon verification of membership in the registration form below. 

Not yet a Southern Chapter member? BECOME A SOUTHERN CHAPTER MEMBER to receive the $150 discount. Please note that it may take up to 72 hours for your information to be added to our membership roster for verification.