Up to 70% Subsidy | *New* ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Course and Assessment, 13-15 Apr 2026
- ISAHK
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
ISA Hong Kong Chapter has scheduled the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Course and Assessment in Hong Kong on 13-15 Apr 2026.
*This training and assessment is recognised by Study Sponsorship Scheme of the Urban Forestry Support Fund, with subsidy up to 70% of tuition and assessment fee.
For details: https://www.greening.gov.hk/ufsf/en/home/index.html
The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), by International Society of Arboriculture, provides a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment provide tree owners and risk managers information in making informed decisions that will promote the safety of people and property and enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity.
ISA TRAQ is widely recognised internationally. TRAQ holders are tree care professionals who have specialized knowledge in tree risk assessment. ISA Hong Kong Chapter regularly hold TRAQ course and assessment in Hong Kong. The programme is conducted by instructors with extensive experience. To earn the qualification, eligible candidates must complete a training course, and pass both a comprehensive written assessment and a performance-based assessment.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), under the guidance of its Credentialing Council and with the support of subject matter experts, announced significant updates to the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) program in February 2025 through the Arborist News publication. These programmatic changes will become effective 5 November 2025, and include updates to the credential’s terms of validity, training materials, and written and performance-based examinations. Please click the following link to review the changes: https://bit.ly/newTRAQ_changes
Key Changes to the ISA TRAQ Program (effective 5 November 2025) • Term of Validity: The ISA TRAQ credential will now be valid for seven (7) years, extended from its previous five (5) year term.
• Elimination of ISA TRAQ Renewal Program: To earn a new certificate for the ISA TRAQ credential after expiration, credential holders must complete the full ISA TRAQ program, including retraining and retesting. The ISA TRAQ Renewal program will be discontinued following publication of the updated program. |
Date: 13 – 15 April 2026, 2.5 days
Time: 9am-6pm (13-14 Apr), 9am-1:00pm (15 Apr)
Venue: Unit 2, 13/F, Wah Yiu Ind Centre, 30-32 Au Pui Wan Street, Shatin
Max. Class size: 20 ppl
Instructor - Mr. Don Picker
With more than 35 years of experience, Don has performed tree risk assessments in the U.S. since 1973 as well as in various locations throughout Asia since 2003. Most notably, Don has assessed thousands of trees in Hong Kong where he founded Asia Tree Preservation Ltd. with his son, Jonathan. Don’s projects include the Shell Oil Asian-Pacific HQ in East Malaysian Borneo, the entire Yokohama War Cemetery in Japan, and various sites for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC.
In many cases following assessment Don also provides training and oversight to local workers who perform mitigation. Don is an ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist® and ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist®. In 2012 he was named an ISA Tree Professional in Arboriculture.
Application:
ISA Credential Holder is eligible to enroll for the TRAQ Program, please fill in the application form and submit together with payment slip.
For non ISA Credential Holders:
Please review the TRAQ Prerequisite Eligibility Catalogue, create an account with ISA https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/MyAccount/createAccount and submit your application for ISA approval before 3 Mar 2026 and enroll for the course upon approval. Please refer to the application video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vEJrbTZX2Y. An application submission fee will apply, $40 USD for ISA members and $50 USD for all others.
Course Fee:
Early Bird Pay before 12 Feb 2026
HK$5,700 for current Chapter Professional Member + ISA member,
HK$5,900 for ISA Member;
HK$6,700 for Non-member
Pay before 12 Mar 2026
HK$6,300 for current Chapter Professional Member + ISA member,
HK$6,500 for ISA Member;
HK$7,300 for Non-member
Retake TRAQ Assessment:
You will need to retake the component you did not pass until you get pass both the written and performance-based components within 1 year from the original TRAQ exam date. Retake fee is $120 USD, please apply via ISA portal. You can select retake written exam in the upcoming TRAQ event or in computer-based at PearsonVue Center.
Payment:
Please deposit the payment to ISA Hong Kong Chapter's bank account*, email the bank-in slip and application form to certification@isahongkong.org.
*Hang Seng Bank: (Bank code 024) 789-314119-001 or FPS ID: 101827012, (ISA Hong Kong Chapter Ltd.)
Application Form: https://bit.ly/TRAQ260413
Application Deadline: 12 Mar 2026
Refund policy:
A full refund if the registration is not accepted or class is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
After the application is submitted and approved by ISA, no refund would be given if the applicant could not attend the class due to personal reasons.
Registrations cannot be transferred to another individual. If you are registered and cannot attend the course - your registration can be moved to a future course. Administration fee of HK$500 may be charged for any changes of the application due to personal reasons.
TRAQ Study Materials:
Course manual and workbook are available for all successful enrolled participants. Manual will be provided in digital format and workbook will be provided at the class. Participants may purchase TRAQ manual and clipboard in the ISA Web Store.
Course Content:
The course content includes Levels of Assessment, Target Assessment, Site Assessment, Tree Biology and Mechanics, Tree Inspection and Assessment, Data Analysis and Risk Categorization, Mitigation, and Reporting.
Qualification Period
The ISA TRAQ credential is valid for seven years. To reinstate your qualification after each seven-year period, you must retain and retest. You may complete the ISA TRAQ program as early as 18 months prior to your expiration date. No CEUs are needed to maintain this qualification. ISA credential holders will be offered 14.5 CEUs for attending the course.
More information about TRAQ can be viewed on the ISA Headquarters website, including:
For enquiry, please contact us at 3757 8078 or certification@isahongkong.org
Regards,
Certification Committee
ISA Hong Kong Chapter
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