Arborist Certification Questions and
Answers Updated 2026/2027 Version |
Verified Answers With Rationales
1. What class of rubber Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE) is rated for use
of an AC voltage up to 36 kV?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4 - There are five classes of IPE starting at zero for up to 1 kV and
the highest is class four which protects up to 36 kV.
The answer is (D)
2. What portion of a chainsaw will potentially cause a kickback if contacted by
an object?
(A) Lower portion of base
(B) Upper portion of base
(C) Lower portion of tip
(D) Upper portion of tip - Kickbacks are a very common cause of injury
for chainsaw use. If the upper portion of the tip comes in contact with
an object it can cause the saw to violently recoil back.
The answer is (D)
3. What is the minimum hinge angular dimension for properly felling a tree?
(A) 45o
(B) 60o
(C) 70o
(D) 90o - A correct hinge is an open face notch with between 70 to 90
degrees.
The answer is (C)
,4. What is a disadvantage of 3-strand type rope?
(A) Cost
(B) Ability to run through a pully
(C) Ability to elongate
(D) Tendency to twist - 3-strand rope is a relatively inexpensive option
with the ability to elongate but comes with low strength. A main
disadvantage is a tendency to twist or hock during use.
The answer is (D)
5. What safety factor is typically used for arborist rigging?
(A) 2
(B) 5
(C) 10
(D) 15 - The appropriate safety factor for arborist rigging is 5.
The answer is (B)
6. What hazard is a specific concern related to the removal of palm trees?
(A) Wet ground
(B) Reduced sunlight
(C) Sloughing
(D) Brittle failure - Palm skirts are a unique hazard when dealing with
palm trees. There is the potential for them to break free and fall on
workers below. This is called sloughing.
The answer is (C)
7. What is the first step in urgent care procedures?
(A) Begin CPR if necessary
(B) Assess the safety of the surroundings
(C) Check for a pulse
(D) Check for breathing - It is often instinctual when an incident occurs
for individuals to rush in and help immediately. It is important
, however to remember to first evaluate the situation to ensure no
additional harm may occur to the victim or yourself.
The answer is (B)
8. A tree that splits during a backcut in an upward direction is which of the
following?
(A) Hinge cut
(B) Humboldt notch
(C) Internal fault
(D) Barber chair - Depending on the lean and weight distribution of the
tree, it is possible for it to split vertically when applying a backcut.
This is known as a barber chair.
The answer is (D)
9. What is the most commonly appropriate length of a hinge?
(A) 50% of the tree diameter
(B) 80% of the tree diameter
(C) 10% of the tree height
(D) 100% of the tree diameter - The recommended length of a hinge is
80% of the tree diameter.
The answer is (B)
10.The correct location for a backcut on a conventional notch shall be:
(A) Even with the apex of the notch
(B) Above the apex of the notch
(C) Below the apex of the notch
(D) Even with the top of the notch - For conventional notches
specifically, the location of the backcut should be slightly higher than
the apex of the notch. For other notches, it is recommended even
with the apex of the notch.
The answer is (B)
11.What knot type is not commonly used as a climbing hitch?
, (A) Tautline
(B) Figure 8
(C) Blake's hitch
(D) All of the above - The figure 8 is not used as a climbing hitch but
rather a stopper knot or end line knot.
The answer is (C)
12.Which of the following is a false statement regarding the use of snaps for
securing the climbing line?
(A) Snaps are not permitted in all countries
(B) May be self-closing or assisted closing
(C) Must be compatible with the D-ring specific to the attachment
(D) Required to have double closing action - Snaps must be self-closing
and locking and must fit with the D-ring on the harness. There are
countries that do not permit the use of snaps.
The answer is (B)
13.What is the minimum required tensile strength in the United States for
carabiners?
(A) 1,000 lbs.
(B) 2,500 lbs.
(C) 5,000 lbs.
(D) 10,000 lbs. - Carabiners in the United States and other countries must
have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs
The answer is (C)
14.What rope type has the highest amount of elongation when loaded?
(A) Polypropylene
(B) Polyester
(C) HMPE
(D) LCP - When ropes are loaded in tension they will expand in length.
Different materials are more elastic than others. Nylon and
Answers Updated 2026/2027 Version |
Verified Answers With Rationales
1. What class of rubber Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE) is rated for use
of an AC voltage up to 36 kV?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4 - There are five classes of IPE starting at zero for up to 1 kV and
the highest is class four which protects up to 36 kV.
The answer is (D)
2. What portion of a chainsaw will potentially cause a kickback if contacted by
an object?
(A) Lower portion of base
(B) Upper portion of base
(C) Lower portion of tip
(D) Upper portion of tip - Kickbacks are a very common cause of injury
for chainsaw use. If the upper portion of the tip comes in contact with
an object it can cause the saw to violently recoil back.
The answer is (D)
3. What is the minimum hinge angular dimension for properly felling a tree?
(A) 45o
(B) 60o
(C) 70o
(D) 90o - A correct hinge is an open face notch with between 70 to 90
degrees.
The answer is (C)
,4. What is a disadvantage of 3-strand type rope?
(A) Cost
(B) Ability to run through a pully
(C) Ability to elongate
(D) Tendency to twist - 3-strand rope is a relatively inexpensive option
with the ability to elongate but comes with low strength. A main
disadvantage is a tendency to twist or hock during use.
The answer is (D)
5. What safety factor is typically used for arborist rigging?
(A) 2
(B) 5
(C) 10
(D) 15 - The appropriate safety factor for arborist rigging is 5.
The answer is (B)
6. What hazard is a specific concern related to the removal of palm trees?
(A) Wet ground
(B) Reduced sunlight
(C) Sloughing
(D) Brittle failure - Palm skirts are a unique hazard when dealing with
palm trees. There is the potential for them to break free and fall on
workers below. This is called sloughing.
The answer is (C)
7. What is the first step in urgent care procedures?
(A) Begin CPR if necessary
(B) Assess the safety of the surroundings
(C) Check for a pulse
(D) Check for breathing - It is often instinctual when an incident occurs
for individuals to rush in and help immediately. It is important
, however to remember to first evaluate the situation to ensure no
additional harm may occur to the victim or yourself.
The answer is (B)
8. A tree that splits during a backcut in an upward direction is which of the
following?
(A) Hinge cut
(B) Humboldt notch
(C) Internal fault
(D) Barber chair - Depending on the lean and weight distribution of the
tree, it is possible for it to split vertically when applying a backcut.
This is known as a barber chair.
The answer is (D)
9. What is the most commonly appropriate length of a hinge?
(A) 50% of the tree diameter
(B) 80% of the tree diameter
(C) 10% of the tree height
(D) 100% of the tree diameter - The recommended length of a hinge is
80% of the tree diameter.
The answer is (B)
10.The correct location for a backcut on a conventional notch shall be:
(A) Even with the apex of the notch
(B) Above the apex of the notch
(C) Below the apex of the notch
(D) Even with the top of the notch - For conventional notches
specifically, the location of the backcut should be slightly higher than
the apex of the notch. For other notches, it is recommended even
with the apex of the notch.
The answer is (B)
11.What knot type is not commonly used as a climbing hitch?
, (A) Tautline
(B) Figure 8
(C) Blake's hitch
(D) All of the above - The figure 8 is not used as a climbing hitch but
rather a stopper knot or end line knot.
The answer is (C)
12.Which of the following is a false statement regarding the use of snaps for
securing the climbing line?
(A) Snaps are not permitted in all countries
(B) May be self-closing or assisted closing
(C) Must be compatible with the D-ring specific to the attachment
(D) Required to have double closing action - Snaps must be self-closing
and locking and must fit with the D-ring on the harness. There are
countries that do not permit the use of snaps.
The answer is (B)
13.What is the minimum required tensile strength in the United States for
carabiners?
(A) 1,000 lbs.
(B) 2,500 lbs.
(C) 5,000 lbs.
(D) 10,000 lbs. - Carabiners in the United States and other countries must
have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 lbs
The answer is (C)
14.What rope type has the highest amount of elongation when loaded?
(A) Polypropylene
(B) Polyester
(C) HMPE
(D) LCP - When ropes are loaded in tension they will expand in length.
Different materials are more elastic than others. Nylon and
