How to Become an Arborist in Nova Scotia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Arborist is a voluntary trade in Nova Scotia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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“Over 70 skilled trades occupations are designated under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act for certification and/or apprenticeship. ... Arborist”
From nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Licensed in another province: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Licensed in another province
- 2 steps without a listed fee
No separate route for this group. Source
“Experienced workers may apply through the Trade Qualification Program and challenge the Arborist certification exam if eligible.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/arborist
Requirements
Experience
A trade qualifier needs 8,100 hours of experience to challenge the Arborist certification exam.
Source
“Total Hours Required to Challenge Exam as a Trade Qualifier: 8,100”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers as an arborist in Nova Scotia.
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Exams
-
Arborist certification exam
Source
“Experienced workers may apply through the Trade Qualification Program and challenge the Arborist certification exam if eligible.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/arborist
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $18.09 | $24.89 | $37.56 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $40.87 | — |
Arborists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Trades in Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Arborist | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/arborist · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an arborist in Nova Scotia?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Nova Scotia. Certification is managed by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Which exams are required?
Arborist certification exam.
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