If an applicant has an academic qualification at the standard of Level 5 of the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework and have participated in the training of Arborist Trainee under the Trainee Programme of the Study Sponsorship Scheme, upon your completion of the three-year training period, you have fulfilled the 3 years of working experience requirement for registration of Arborist. Please pay attention that you still have to fulfill the professional, training and safety and health training qualifications requirement.

The basic principle is that the course should cover the essential occupational safety and health measures set out in Section 5 of the “Guidelines on Arboriculture Occupational Safety and Health” published by the Development Bureau, the course duration should be around two days to ensure sufficient contents of each measure are covered, and the training should be conducted in face-to-face mode.

You can submit your registration application to the Tree Management Personnel Registration Unit (Registration Unit) first. If necessary, the Registration Unit will request you to approach the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) for an assessment regarding the equivalent Qualifications Framework level of your non-local academic qualifications in Hong Kong. In such case, you have to provide a copy of the assessment result of the HKCAAVQ in your registration application.

It is because your documentary proofs do not contain the important information that we require, i.e. the duration of your employment in the company(ies) and whether your work experience involves tree care and tree risk assessment. We require reference letter(s) issued by your employer(s) stating clearly the duration and position of your employment in the company(ies) and confirmation that your duties involve tree care and tree risk assessment. Other examples of acceptable employment documents are tax return, tax statement and MPF statement stating your name, position(s) and the name of your company(ies). Resumes are not accepted as an employment reference.

Your registration application as Chainsaw Operators is unsuccessful because you do not possess one of the following training qualifications –

1. Passed the“Vocational Assessment in Safety Use and Maintenance of Chainsaw Operation and Basic Tree Pruning for the Arboriculture Industry” organised by the Vocational Training Council; or
2. Modules “Operate and Maintain Chainsaw” (RTC2304A/ AHCARB205A) and “Prune trees and shrubs” (RTF2017A/ AHCARBPGD203A) of the certificate/diploma courses in Arboriculture offered by the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT, now known as Melbourne Polytechnic); or
3. Qualified Chainsaw and Pruning (Ground-based) Technician (QCPT) offered by the International Society of Arboriculture, Hong Kong Chapter; or
4. Vocational Assessment in Chainsaw Operation, Maintenance and Tree Pruning, offered by Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education, the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (formerly known as Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance Training, offered by Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education, the Open University of Hong Kong); or
5. “Professional Competency Assessment of Petrol Chainsaw Use and Maintenance and Pruning” offered by the TCHK, or
6. “Safe Use and Maintenance of Chainsaw” and “Basic Pruning in Arboriculture” offered by Pro Tree Development Limited.

The qualification of “Certificate in Petrol Chainsaw Use and Maintenance and Tree Trimming” of TCHK is an academic qualification and not a recognised arboriculture vocational assessment, therefore it is not accepted.

Supervision of Tree Works Course organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Construction is a recognised training qualification of Tree Work Supervisors. To register as a Tree Work Supervisor under the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel, you still have to fulfill the occupational safety and health training qualification and work experience requirement.

Usually, the Tree Management Personnel Registration Unit requests you to resubmit your photo because:

1. the photo you have submitted does not show your full frontal face;
2. the photo is too blurry; or
3. the resolution of your photo is too low.

It is suggested that your photo should have a dimension of 40mm (W) x 50mm (H). If you choose to submit digital copy, please submit your photo in .jpeg format. Photo with plain light colour background is preferred.

Expired professional or training qualifications are not accepted. It is recommended that your professional or training qualifications (including but not be limited to Membership of the Arboricultural Association of the United Kingdom (AAUK), Certified Arborist, Certified Arborist Utility Specialist, Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist or Board Certified Master Arborist of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)) should have a validity period of at least 6 months on the date of your application for registration.

Apart from providing a copy of your professional qualification issued by the Arboricultural Association of the United Kingdom, please also provide us with a copy of your membership card of the Association with a validity period of at least 6 months on the date of your application for registration.

Academic qualification on tree risk assessment is not accepted as training qualification for registration as Tree Risk Assessor. Acceptable training qualifications are –

1. completed and passed Comprehensive Tree Risk Assessment and Management Training Course with assessment or Refresher Course with assessment organised by the Tree Management Office; or
2. completed and passed training programmes in tree risk assessment recognised by the Tree Management Office, such as Tree Risk Assessment Qualification by the International Society of Arboriculture, Professional Tree Inspection by Lantra Awards, Certificate in Tree Preservation and Risk Assessment conducted by the training bodies of the Employees Retraining Board, Certificate of Training in Professional Tree Inspection and Risk Assessment by Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Tree Risk Assessment Course with Assessment by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) or Certificate in Professional Tree Inspection by TCHK.

You still have to fulfill the academic / professional qualifications and work experience requirement for registration as Tree Risk Assessor.

Separate training or vocational assessment in tree work operations (including tree climbing (rope access), use of chainsaw and aerial rescue) by recognised institutions or industry organisations can be combined in fulfilling the registration requirement for Tree Climber. However, you still have to fulfill the occupational safety and health training qualification and work experience requirement.