BCMA Virtual Study Group

Description

EVENT FLYER

Course Outline and Schedule

Course Duration: April 1, 2026 - December 9, 2026
 Meeting Schedule: Every other Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Eastern (2 hours)
 Format: Online via Zoom
 Total Sessions: 19 weeks

Session Format

Each two-hour session will be structured as follows:

First Hour (60 minutes): Comprehensive review of the week's topic, covering all key terms identified in the study guide.

Second Hour (60 minutes): Focused discussion based on practice exam questions (i.e., case studies) from the study guide, readings assigned during off-weeks, and participant questions.

Class Portal

All attendees will have access to a class portal via Google Classroom, featuring:

• A class discussion forum for ongoing dialogue and questions, 

• Recordings of past class sessions (active for 180 days after posting), and 

• Additional open-access resources to supplement your preparation efforts.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge across all domains of arboriculture, apply advanced diagnostic and problem-solving skills, understand and implement industry standards (ANSI A300, Z133), prepare for the ISA Board Certified Master Arborist examination, and integrate scientific principles with practical arboriculture applications.

Required Materials

Primary Textbook: ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® (BCMA™) Guide by Sharon Lilly (©2020, softcover, 356 pp.). A copy of this book is included in the price of the course and will serve as the guiding text and reading guide for the class.

Additional reference materials include ANSI A300 Standards (Parts 1-9), ANSI Z133 Safety Standards, Best Management Practices publications (ISA), and other key industry references.

Note: This course is designed to prepare candidates for the ISA Board Certified Master Arborist credential examination. Completion of the course does not guarantee certification, which requires passing the ISA BCMA exam.