Minnesota Tree Inspector
​Frequently Ask Questions
​

 Q. Who runs the Minnesota Tree Inspector Program?
A. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Their web site is: http://dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/urban/certifiedtreeprogram/index.html.
 
Q. What is the role of the University of Minnesota?
A. The U of M offers certification and recertification opportunities and proctors new certification exams at the certification workshops.  www.mntreeinspector.com.
 
Q. What is my certification status?  When will I receive my certification card?
A. Your current status as well as the status of your certification card can only be determined by emailing MnTreeInspect.DNR@state.mn.us. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages the data base and certification cards.
 
Q. How can I become a Certified Tree Inspector?
A. There is currently an online certification option. Visit the 2021 Online Certification page for more details.   
 
Q. How long does my certification last?
A. Until December 31 of the following year. Take and pass the exam in 2020, certified through 2021. 
 
Q. How do I recertify then?
A.       

1. During the year your certification expires, e.g., 2021 in the previous example, attend or complete an approved* workshop, seminar, conference, study series.
2. Submit a completed Application for Recertification form to the UMN Tree Inspector email address treesins@umn.edu.

 
Q.  What’s an “approved…..” recertification option? 
A.

1. A minimum of six (6) hours of attendance to an approved workshop, seminar, conference, or study series (you can attend two sessions that are each at least four hours long).
2. Any local workshop or conference that meets the minimum time requirement (6 hours) and addresses tree inspector issues (tree selection, tree health, planting, pruning, inventorying) probably counts. 
3. Workshops must be approved by the DNR or the U of M, unless it’s one of these annual events:

• The Northern Green Expo in January.
• The Minnesota Master Gardener core course training, January through March.
• The North Dakota Urban and Community Forestry Association annual tree care workshop in January.
• The Northeast Pruning Workshops (www.trees.umn.edu, see events).
• The Rochester Arborist Workshop in February.
• The Iowa Shade Tree Short Course in February.
• Any one of the Forest Pest First Detector Workshops in February.
• The Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course, March, Bethel University in Arden Hills.
• The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) program hosted by the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture in March.
• The Tree Care Advisor core course training 
• The Minnesota Tree Inspector Recertification Workshops
• The Minnesota Society of Arboriculture annual conference in October.

 
Q. What happens if I let my Tree Inspector Certification lapse?
A. Go through New Certification procedures: register for one of the workshops, online course, a proctored exam at the U of M.

Updated: 01/17/2019