On April 17, 2017, the State of New Jersey passed the “Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act.” People have until June 16, 2017 to comply with the new regulations.
The act creates two new license categories for people doing tree work in the state of New Jersey: “licensed tree care operator” (L.T.C.O.) and “licensed tree expert” (L.T.E.).
Every company performing tree work in N.J. must have at least one employee who is licensed. In order to receive a license, people must meet certain minimum qualifications and then pass an exam. To see the necessary qualifications, please visit the website for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts.
People with the L.T.C.O. license can perform the following work: tree pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, stump removal, brush cutting, and brush removal.
People with an L.T.E. license will be able to perform all the work of an L.T.C.O. plus fertilization, tree establishment, consulting, diagnosis, treatment of diseases, cabling and bracing, tree management during site development, and tree assessment.
Please note that this new licensing requirement comes with a continuing education requirement. Every licensed person must complete 32 credits of continuing education every two years. One credit equals one hour of an approved course.
Rutgers has several courses that provide these credits. To see all of our tree courses, please click here.
For more information, you can contact the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts.
njtreeexperts@gmail.com
(732) 534-0982
Good to see that they are cracking down on tree removal scammers. I think this will do will do much good for the tree removal industry in the long run.
http://hptreeandfence.com/
How does one report a company for operating a tree service business without the required license? Is this enforced?
Hello. Nancy. Thanks for writing. I’m sorry I missed this comment and didn’t reply sooner. You can contact the Board of Certified Tree Experts here: http://www.njbte.org/
They list companies that are not in compliance.
As a former business owner of a tree and landscape company, for many years…with the knowledge of how to take down/remove a tree safely and/or prune as well, am I or other’s like myself still have to take and pass these new requirements if simply asked for advice or help a neighbor or friend who may not have the monitary means to get said help from me? If not, would one face any type of lawful action or fine for helping someone in need?
Respectfully,
Concerned
I wonder how many excavators with large equipment who are going to rip out stumps are going to hire a licensed tree expert to stand there to watch. Also are you going to fine a landscaper $1000 for removing a 2 inch diameter tree? Also why do you need a certified tree expert to run a chipper? Personally, I am retired after 43 yrs in the business and I don’t care. ps We did cost the insurance companies more than they made off us. It is a very dangerous business. Several times I almost got killed.
They Look so majestic..
Respectfully suggest that this relatively new law needs to be more widely communicated. We have similar licensing laws in Pennsylvania for any contractor undertaking ‘improvements’ to residential homeowners. However, our two States also share the same lack of consumer awareness.
P.S. The New Jersey Tree Experts website is down