Accredited Arborists

Accredited Arborist Assessment

Application for the next Accredited Arborist Assessment is now open. The application period will close on 13 June 2025.

Application Closing Date: 13 June 2025 (Friday)

Assessment Date: 21 June 2025 / 28 June 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 9:30am – 5:00pm (30 mins. interview session per candidate)
Venue: To be confirmed after the application is closed.

Applications received after 13 June 2025 will be arranged for the next round Assessment tentatively scheduled in September 2025.

Background and Objective

The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) have been taking up the roles in landscape planning, landscape design, management of greening and landscaping works for a few decades. We recognize the importance of ensuring proper tree management and supervision of landscape works being implemented in Hong Kong.

There is an increasing public concern on urban trees arising from improper pruning, interference and felling of some of them. Failures of sizable trees resulting in damages to properties and human lives were even more of a concern. Proper tree management and maintenance by well trained and qualiﬁed personnel are of vital importance in enabling the public to enjoy the beneﬁts of urban greening.

However, up to date, arboricultural practitioners in Hong Kong are not yet represented and regulated by any local organizations recognized by statutory instruments, nor are there any locally enforceable constitution, regulations, or Code of Conduct that bind their conduct and standard of service. From time to time, HKILA have received feedback from our members and the public that the standard of arboricultural services varied substantially, some being far from satisfactory.

For the good of the industries general public, the HKILA set up a local accreditation system for the arboricultural industry. Such accreditation system will register a list of arboricultural practitioners that are assessed to have met stipulated minimum academic, professional and experience requirements. The list shall be made available to the public for their reference in procuring arboricultural services. We recognize a person on the accredited list should possess suﬃcient knowledge and experience to deliver reasonable arboricultural services.

What is ‘HKILA Accredited Arborist’?

The Practice Committee and Public Affairs Committee of the HKILA jointly formed an Arboricultural Practitioners Accreditation Work Group in October 2010. This work group formulated and developed framework of the accreditation system, which was then endorsed by the Council of HKILA. The HKILA Accredited Arboricultural Practitioners Vetting Panel (hereafter called the Panel) was subsequently formed in November 2011 to administer and implement the accreditation process. Through the initial membership referral scheme (referred as the first batch), the first batch of HKILA AAP was accredited and published on our website in July 2012.

The term ‘Arboricultural Practitioner” covers different levels of people in the industry including the managers, the supervisors, the workers. As the scheme developed it is clear that the level of requirements and assessments are targeting those at supervisory levels on tree management or landscape implementation on site. The Panel therefore recommended change of the title to Accredited Arborists, and subsequently endorsed by the Council of HKILA in July 2018. The Panel is also renamed as “Panel on Accredited Arborists”

Those successfully accredited are entitled to describe themselves as ‘HKILA Accredited Arborist’ and to use the abbreviated designation ‘AA (HKILA)’. AA (HKILA) will be bound by the Code of Ethics and Conduct under the scheme and are eligible to become an Affiliate Member of the institute. Joining as a HKILA Affiliate Member is not mandatory and would have no effect on the renewal of accreditation status.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement for the renewal of accreditation.

Panel on Accredited Arborists

Chairperson	Mr. MA Kwok Wai, Carol

Secretary	Mr. SO Shui Shan, Isaac

Panel Members	Mr. CHAN Yuen King, Paul
	Mr. LAU Hing Tat, Patrick, JP
	Mr. LO Shun Cheong
	Mr. CHOW Siu Hang, Paul
External Tree Experts	Mr. CHEUNG Yiu Kong, Lawrence
	Professor CHIU Siu Wai
	Mr. LAM Tak Chak
	Dr. ZHANG Hao, Allen

Use of Titles

Applicant who pass the assessment is entitled to use below titles:

– HKILA Accredited Arborist

– Chinese: 香港園境師學會認可樹藝師

– Initials: AA (HKILA)

Benefits of employing ‘HKILA Accredited Arborist

Mechanism on Handling Complaint on Disciplinary Offence

HKILA Accredited Arborist subject to the scheme ‘s code of ethics and professional conduct. The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects has establish a local complaint mechanism. If the complaint is true, the complained member will be disqualified for professional ethics violations. By 2021, a total of 2 Accredited Arborists have been disqualified.

Tree Identification and Knowledge

It is still the only assessment in Hong Kong that requires the identification of tree species. Candidates are required to identify 100 common local tree species. The assessor selects specimens or photos of 10 species showing leaves, flowers, fruits for the candidates to identify.

Passing score is 70% questions answered correctly. In case scoring 60%, several extra questions (including but not limited to extra species, knowledge on brittle wood species, response on transplant shock, flowering seasons and application) will be asked by the assessor to ensure the candidate equipped with sound knowledge on plant identification. Candidates scoring 50% or below will be considered as fail in Section 1.

Score	Rating
70% or above	Pass (Grade A)
60%	Marginal pass (if extra questions answered correctly) (Grade B)
50% or below	Fail (Grade C)

How to become ‘HKILA Accredited Arborist’?

Recognized Degree/ Diploma in Arboriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Botany, Biological Science, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Management, Landscape Design, Garden Design and Management, or equivalent academic qualiﬁcation (Level 3 or above in HKQF) and Professional Qualiﬁcations plus Work Experience.

Interview Assessment Process

Interview included Self-introduction of training and practical experience by candidate.

Oral assessment includes questions from syllabus Section 1 to 5. Candidates are expected to obtain ‘Grade A’ or ‘Grade B’ in each section.

To become an Accredited Arborist, candidates must obtain at least one “Grade A” AND not more than one “Grade C” in the overall interview. In addition, in Section 4 “Professional Conduct, Ethics and Liabilities”, candidates MUST obtain “Grade B” or above.

Assessment Content

1. Tree Identification and Knowledge
2. Tree Risk Assessment
3. Safety at Tree Works
4. Professional Conduct, Ethics and Liabilities
5. Arboricultural Practice and Tree Care