Hiring a Tree Company in Atlanta: What Licenses and Certifications Should They Have?

By CanICut.com · Published & last updated October 22, 2026

Taking down a big oak or pruning a limb over your roof isn't a DIY job, and it isn't a job for just anyone with a chainsaw and a truck. A good tree company protects your house, your neighbors, your tree canopy, and your wallet. Here's what to look for, what's actually required in Georgia and the City of Atlanta, and how to check it before anyone climbs.

Does Georgia require an arborist license?

No. Georgia does not issue a state arborist license, so cutting, pruning, and removing trees doesn't require a state credential. That means the burden is on you, the homeowner, to check qualifications. Voluntary certifications, insurance, and (inside Atlanta city limits) city registration are the best signals you have.

The exception: spraying and injections

If a company applies pesticides to your trees for a fee, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, or growth regulators, Georgia law applies. Under the Georgia Pesticide Use and Application Act of 1976, any business applying pesticides to someone else's property needs a pesticide contractor's license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The company must also employ at least one full-time certified commercial applicator licensed in the right category. For trees, that's usually Category 24, Ornamental and Turf Pest Control. If a company offers tree injections or spraying, ask to see their license.

City of Atlanta: tree company registration (new in 2026)

Atlanta's updated Tree Protection Ordinance took effect January 1, 2026. Under it, tree service companies doing business in the City of Atlanta, along with arborists, foresters, landscape architects, and other professionals who prepare tree permit documents, must register with the City Arborist before doing business. Key details:

Registration is free and must be renewed every year.
It's done at the company level. Individual employees don't register separately.
Arborists who sign or submit tree removal permit documents must hold a current ISA or ASCA certification.
Registrants sign an affidavit agreeing to follow the tree ordinance. Companies that violate it can be suspended from the registry.
Private property owners don't need to register.

If your property is inside Atlanta city limits, ask the company to confirm it's on the City's Tree Professional Registry. You can contact the Arborist Division at arborist.dpcd@atlantaga.gov or (404) 330-6874. Other cities and counties set their own rules, so check your jurisdiction.

Certifications that matter

ISA Certified Arborist

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) credential is the most widely recognized one. To sit for the exam, candidates need at least three years of full-time arboriculture experience, or a combination of education and experience. Certified Arborists also follow a code of ethics. You can verify any ISA credential for free at TreesAreGood.org's "Find an Arborist" directory.

ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)

This is ISA's highest certification. Candidates must already be ISA Certified Arborists in good standing, earn eligibility points through experience, education, and other credentials, and pass a scenario-based exam. For complex jobs, like preserving a large specimen tree near construction, a BCMA is a great sign.

ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist

This credential covers the people actually up in the tree. It requires 18 months of climbing experience, training in aerial rescue, CPR, and first aid, and passing both a written test and a climbing skills test.

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

TRAQ is ISA's qualification for formally assessing tree risk. If you're trying to figure out whether a tree is hazardous, for example to support a dead, dying, or hazardous (DDH) permit request, a TRAQ-qualified arborist is the right person to ask.

TCIA Accreditation and CTSP

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accredits companies, not individuals. Accreditation lasts three years with annual check-ups. Those check-ups confirm the company has the required arborists on staff, is properly insured, has good safety and customer-satisfaction ratings, and employs Certified Treecare Safety Professionals (CTSP). CTSP is TCIA's safety credential for individuals who lead safety programs on crews.

Insurance: the non-negotiable

Tree work is dangerous. Make sure the company carries:

General liability insurance, which covers damage to your home, car, fence, or your neighbor's property.
Workers' compensation insurance, which covers injured workers. Without it, you could face claims if someone gets hurt on your property.

How to verify a certificate of insurance (COI): Don't accept a photocopy the crew hands you. Ask the company to have its insurance agent send the certificate directly to you, with you listed as the certificate holder. Check the company name, the policy dates, and the coverage types. If anything looks off, call the agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.

Local business licenses

Legitimate companies hold a business license (often called an occupational tax certificate) in the city or county where they're based. Ask for it. It's a basic sign the company is established and accountable.

Questions to ask before you hire

Is there an ISA Certified Arborist on staff, and what's their certification number?
Are you registered with the City of Atlanta Arborist Division? (if you're in the city)
Will your insurance agent send me a COI for liability and workers' comp?
Who pulls the tree permit, if one is needed?
Do you follow ANSI A300 pruning standards?
Do you hold a Georgia pesticide contractor license? (for spraying or injections)
Is cleanup, stump grinding, and haul-away in the written quote?

Red flags

Recommending topping. Cutting a tree's crown back to stubs damages its health. According to ISA and university extension guidance, it leads to decay and weak regrowth that's more likely to fail. Reputable arborists don't top trees.
Door-to-door storm chasers who show up after a storm with no local address or references.
Cash only, or large upfront payments before any work is done.
No proof of insurance, or hesitation when you ask for a COI from their agent.
"You don't need a permit" without checking. In many metro Atlanta jurisdictions, removing a tree may require one.

Check your permit first, then get quotes

Before you sign anything, find out whether your tree removal needs a permit. CanICut.com is a free tree permit checker covering the City of Atlanta, Decatur, DeKalb, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Tucker, Chamblee, Roswell, and unincorporated Cobb, Gwinnett, and Fulton. Check your address in a minute, then request quotes from qualified arborists.

FAQ

Is an arborist license required in Georgia?

No. Georgia has no state arborist license. Companies that apply pesticides for hire need a Georgia Department of Agriculture pesticide contractor's license. In Atlanta, tree companies must also register with the City Arborist.

How do I check if an arborist is ISA certified?

Use the free "Find an Arborist" directory at TreesAreGood.org, or ask for the arborist's certification number and look it up.

Do Atlanta tree companies have to register with the city?

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, tree service companies doing business in the City of Atlanta must register with the City Arborist. Registration is free and renewed every year. Homeowners don't need to register.

What insurance should a tree company carry?

General liability and workers' compensation. Ask the company's insurance agent to send the certificate of insurance directly to you.

← Back to the permit checker