What DLC and Other Tree Service Certifications Mean for Your Hire

DLC certification shows a tree service has met safety and training standards set by an independent organization, not the government

DLC stands for the Davey Tree Expert Company's professional standards program, though the term has come to mean any third-party certification that verifies a tree service company's training, insurance, and safety practices. When you see "DLC certified" or similar badges, it means an outside body has checked the company's credentials rather than taking the company's word for it.

In South Carolina, tree services are not required by law to hold DLC or any particular certification. A company can legally operate with just a business license and liability insurance. Certification is voluntary—which means when a company displays it, you know they chose to meet an external standard. That choice matters when you are deciding between contractors.

The most common certifications you will encounter are DLC (Davey's program), ISA (International Society of Arboriculture), and TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association). Each has different requirements and focuses. Understanding what each one covers helps you know what you are actually hiring.

Key Takeaways

• DLC, ISA, and TCIA certifications are voluntary and mean a tree service has passed an outside review of training, safety, and business practices.
• ISA certification requires passing an exam and proving work experience; TCIA membership requires meeting safety standards and insurance minimums.
• A certified arborist (ISA credential) is different from a certified tree service company—one is a person, one is a business.
• South Carolina does not legally require any certification, so ask what certifications a company holds and what each one covers before you hire.

ISA Certification and the Certified Arborist Credential

The International Society of Arboriculture issues the Certified Arborist credential to individuals who pass a written exam and have documented work experience in tree care. This is a person-level certification, not a company-level one. A company can employ certified arborists without being certified itself.

To become an ISA Certified Arborist, a person must have at least three years of full-time work experience in arboriculture, pass a comprehensive exam covering tree biology, pruning, pest management, and safety, and earn continuing education credits every three years to keep the credential active. The exam is not easy—many people fail on the first attempt.

When you hire a tree service, ask whether the crew leader or the person making decisions about your trees holds ISA certification. A certified arborist on your job means someone with tested knowledge of tree health and proper technique is overseeing the work. It does not may provide the company itself meets any standard, but it tells you the person directing the work has met one.

TCIA Membership and What It Requires

The Tree Care Industry Association is a membership organization for tree service companies. TCIA membership requires that a company maintain certain insurance levels, follow safety standards, and pass a business review. Unlike ISA, which certifies individuals through an exam, TCIA certifies companies through documentation and inspection.

TCIA members must carry liability insurance at specified minimums and workers' compensation insurance if they have employees. They must also follow ANSI (American National Standards Institute) safety standards for tree work, which cover everything from equipment use to crew positioning during a job. A TCIA member company has agreed to these standards in writing.

TCIA membership is common among established tree services in South Carolina, particularly larger companies. It is a sign that a company has been in business long enough to build the infrastructure TCIA requires and has chosen to be accountable to an industry body.

DLC and Other Company-Level Certifications

DLC certification, offered by the Davey Tree Expert Company, is a company-level program that reviews a tree service's training practices, safety record, and business operations. Unlike ISA, which is an exam, DLC is an audit—inspectors visit the company, review records, and assess whether the company meets the standard.

Other companies offer similar certifications. Some are regional; others are national. What they have in common is that they verify a company's practices rather than relying on the company to self-report. The cost and rigor vary, so if a company mentions a certification you have not heard of, ask what the certification covers and who issues it.

In South Carolina, you may also encounter companies certified by state-level or local organizations, or companies that have completed specific training programs through community colleges or industry groups. These are worth asking about, but they carry less weight than national certifications simply because they are harder to verify independently.

What Certification Does Not Tell You

A certified company is not automatically better than an uncertified one at every job. Certification shows that a company has met a standard at a point in time and has the discipline to maintain it. It does not mean the company is the cheapest, the fastest, or the best fit for your specific trees.

Some excellent, reliable tree services in South Carolina operate without certification because they work in a limited area, have a strong local reputation, and see no need for the cost and paperwork. Some certified companies cut corners between audits or have high turnover that undermines their training. Certification is one signal, not the only one.

Ask a tree service about certification, but also ask for references, check online reviews, and get multiple quotes. A certified company with poor reviews is still a poor choice. An uncertified company with strong local references and clear communication about the work may be exactly what you need.

How to Verify a Company's Certifications

Do not take a company's word for it. ISA maintains a searchable database of Certified Arborists on its website where you can enter a person's name and see their credential status. TCIA has a member directory where you can search by location. If a company claims DLC certification, ask for documentation and verify it with Davey Tree or the certifying body.

A legitimate certified company will have no problem providing proof. They may have a certificate on the wall, a badge on their website, or a membership number you can look up. If a company is vague about which certification they hold or cannot provide a way to verify it, that is a red flag.

When you call a tree service, ask directly: "What certifications do you hold, and who issues them?" Write down the answer and spend five minutes verifying it before you get a quote. This step takes almost no time and protects you from companies that claim credentials they do not have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to hire a certified tree service in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina does not legally require tree services to hold any certification. However, certification shows a company has met an outside standard and is willing to be accountable. Many homeowners use it as one factor when choosing between contractors, along with references, reviews, and price.

What is the difference between a Certified Arborist and a certified tree service company?

A Certified Arborist is a person who has passed an ISA exam and has documented experience in tree care. A certified tree service company is a business that has met standards set by an organization like TCIA or DLC. A company can employ certified arborists without being certified itself, and a certified company may or may not have certified arborists on staff.

Is ISA certification better than TCIA membership?

They measure different things. ISA certifies individuals on their knowledge of tree biology and care. TCIA certifies companies on their safety practices, insurance, and business standards. A company can hold both, one, or neither. For your purposes, both are positive signs, but they tell you different things about who you are hiring.

What should I do if a company claims a certification I cannot verify?

Ask for the name of the certifying organization and a membership or credential number. Look it up yourself before you hire. If the company cannot provide this information or becomes defensive, move on to another contractor. Legitimate certifications are easy to verify.

Does a certified company cost more?

Not necessarily. Certification adds to a company's overhead, and some pass that cost to customers while others absorb it. Get quotes from both certified and uncertified companies and compare the scope of work, not just the price. A cheaper quote from an uncertified company might be a good deal, or it might mean corners are being cut.