How can an applicant submit an application form?
Applicants shall submit the application via the internet using the E-form available in the registration website and upload digital copies of the supporting documents and materials. Applicants may also submit the applications by post to the Tree Management Personnel Registration Unit of the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section, Development Bureau (the “Registration Unit”) (Address: 16/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong). Submission of an application by post shall include a duly completed and signed Application Form (RSTMP01(01/2026)) and the relevant supporting documents and materials, including but not be limited to the following:
The applicant may choose to produce his/her HKID Card in person to the Registration Unit for verifying his/her identity provided in the application form in lieu of the provision of photocopy of his/her personal identity document as required in paragraph (c) in the above. The applicant is required to contact the Registration Unit via e-mail at rstmp@devb.gov.hk or via telephone at 2848 2334 for making appointment for such arrangement after upon submission of the application.
How can an applicant check the application status after submitting the application form?
The applicant can enquire the Registration Unit about the application status via email (rstmp@devb.gov.hk) or by phone at 2848 2334.
If an applicant wishes to correct or make changes to the information on his/her personal particulars provided earlier, how can he/she make the changes?
The applicant should inform the Registration Unit in writing to make the changes.
What should an applicant do if he/she wishes to cancel the application?
The applicant should inform the Registration Unit in writing as soon as possible.
If an applicant has cancelled his/her application previously, can he/she submit application again?
If an applicant has cancelled his/her application previously, he/she can submit application again.
How long does it take before an applicant receives the application results?
The applicant will normally be notified of the result of application by writing within 6 weeks upon receipt of the duly completed application form with all necessary supporting documents, or upon satisfactory verification of documents and/or receipt of supplementary information by the Registration Unit.
Why does the Government introduce the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel?
Sufficient manpower and adequate capability of arboriculture practitioners is of utmost importance to keep our urban forest healthy and minimise tree failure risks, thereby protecting public safety. There is a strong aspiration of the industry and the public to uplift the standard of the in-service arboriculture practitioners. We therefore introduced the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel.
What are the types of registered tree management personnel under the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel?
The Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel covers five types of tree management personnel, namely arborists, tree risk assessors, tree work supervisors, tree climbers and chainsaw operators.
How does the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel uplift the standard of the in-service arboriculture practitioners?
Each registration will be valid for three years. For renewal of registration, practitioners need to meet the specified in-service and continuing education requirements, which aims to uplift continuously their professional standards. The code of conduct and performance monitoring mechanism for registered tree management personnel have also been formulated to monitor and regulate their performance.
What are the subsequent measures after the introduction of the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel?
We list the name, registration type(s) and expiry date(s) of registered tree management personnel on the registration website for reference by the industry, private property owners, property management personnel and government tree management departments. The Government requires new works and maintenance contracts to deploy registered tree management personnel to undertake arboriculture work. At the same time, we encourage private property owners and property management companies to engage registered tree management personnel in carrying out tree inspection and risk assessment, and implementing appropriate risk mitigation measures.
Is the registration under the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel mandatory?
Registration under the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel is voluntary.
Do we need to pay for the registration under the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel?
Registration under the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel is free of charge.
What are the qualification requirements for applicants?
In-service arboriculture practitioners meeting the qualifications and work experience currently and generally required under government contracts are eligible to register. Details of the qualification and experience requirements for the five types of tree management personnel are in the “Notes to Applicants”.
Can an applicant apply for registration for more than one tree management personnel type in one application?
The applicant is allowed to apply for registration for more than one personnel type in one application provided that he/she fulfills the relevant registration requirements.
What registration document will be issued upon approval of the application for registration?
Upon approval of application, an electronic registration card for each type of tree management personnel, in addition to a registration letter, will be issued to the registered personnel, which displays the registered personnel’s name, photo, registration number and a QR code to link to the registered personnel’s registration details, including the name, registered personnel type(s) and the corresponding registration expiry date(s), on the registration website. The QR code would facilitate direct access to the registration website for retrieval of registration details of a particular registered personnel by the industry, private property owners, property management personnel and government tree management departments.
How would the Government monitor the conduct and performance of the registered tree management personnel?
Registered tree management personnel are expected to deliver arboriculture services up to the required standards, thereby ensuring healthy tree growth and protecting public safety. Therefore, they are required to comply with the code of conduct of the registered tree management personnel which is to provide guidance on proper practices of the industry and professionalism of the tree management personnel. Besides, a performance monitoring mechanism is also established to ensure compliance of the code of conduct by the registered tree management personnel. Non-performers will be subject to appropriate regulatory measures.
What are the renewal requirements for the registered tree management personnel?
Each registration and renewal will be valid for three years. Registered tree management personnel who wish to apply for renewal of registration will have to produce a minimum of 1.5 years in-service records in the immediate past three years before expiry of the current registration and records of compliance of the requirements on continuing education in arboriculture (CEA) during the same period. Application for renewal can be made at least ten weeks before the expiry of the registration. Details of the renewal requirements are available in “Renewal Requirements” of the registration website.
Registered Tree Risk Assessors who registered before 1 January 2026 and do not have recognised academic or professional qualification in the first time registration are required to acquire relevant recognised academic and professional qualifications with a valid expiry date and submit their relevant documentary proof for renewal of registration.
Registered tree management personnel shall maintain the validity of their professional qualifications throughout the registration period. Failure to maintain the validity of professional qualification will render de-registration.
What are the difference in the renewal requirements between the first and subsequent renewals of registration?
Registered tree management personnel who wish to apply for renewal of registration will have to produce a minimum of 1.5 years in-service records in the immediate past three years before expiry of the current registration and records of compliance of the requirements on continuing education in arboriculture (CEA) during the same period.
In the first renewal, there are requirements on minimum essential CEA hours on key job functions and optional CEA hours for the respective personnel types. Upon the first renewal is successful, the requirements on minimum essential CEA hours on key job functions will be changed to optional CEA hours. Registered tree management personnel are only subject to optional CEA hours.
Why the registered tree management personnel need to take the continuing education in arboriculture?
Continuing education in arboriculture is essential to uplift the core competency of registered tree management personnel to keep them abreast of the latest techniques and development in the industry.
If a registered tree management personnel need some more time to meet the renewal requirements, what can they do?
A registered tree management personnel may apply for extension of the validity period of his/her current registration for specific personnel type(s) for six months by sending a written request to the Registration Unit at rstmp@devb.gov.hk or in writing stating the reason(s) for applying for the extension of validity period of registration for specific personnel type(s), the registration number and his/her name. Application for extension of validity period of registration can be made at the earliest six months in advance of and before the expiry date of the current registration. The Registration Unit will normally process the application for extension of the validity period of the current registration upon receipt of all necessary information within six weeks and will notify the applicant of the result of the application in writing.
After the grant of the extension and upon successful renewal of registration, the commencement date of the renewed registration will start from the day following the original expiry date of the last registration before the grant of the extension. Each registered tree management personnel may be granted one extension only for each registered personnel type in each term of registration.
An example for illustration
A registered tree management personnel applies for extension of the validity of registration for 6 months. His current registration will be valid up to 30 June 2024.
| Date | Action / Event |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2024 | Registered tree management personnel applies to the Registration Unit to extend the validity period of his current registration for 6 months in writing |
| 5 May 2024 | Registration Unit informs him of the approval of extension of validity period of current registration in writing |
| 30 June 2024 | Expiry of current registration |
| 1 July 2024 – 31 December 2024 | Extension of validity period of current registration for 6 months |
| 16 October 2024 | Registered tree management personnel submits his renewal application |
| 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2027 | Validity period of registration upon successful renewal start from the day following the original expiry date of the last registration |
Can the registered tree management personnel submit their renewal application after the expiry date of their registration? If their renewal application is unsuccessful, can they apply for registration again?
Registered tree management personnel have to submit their renewal application to the Registration Unit at least ten weeks before the expiry of the registration. The Registration Unit will issue message(s) to registered tree management personnel reminding them to submit their renewal applications timely. Renewal application received by the Registration Unit after the expiry date of the registration of the registered tree management personnel will not be accepted. The registration will be lapsed automatically if no renewal application is made or the registered tree management personnel fails to fulfil the renewal requirement(s) in one or more than one personnel type(s), including after the expiry of extension of validity period of registration, if applicable. In such case, the registered tree management personnel will be de-listed from the register for the specific personnel type(s). Once de-listed from a specific personnel type, he/she can only apply for registration on the same personnel type again one year after the date of de-list.
An example for illustration
A registered Tree Work Supervisor does not submit any renewal application to the Registration Unit and his current registration is valid up to 30 June 2024.
| Date | Action / Event |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2024 | Registration Unit’s 1st reminder for applying for renewal to the registered personnel (6 months before expiry of registration) |
| 1 April 2024 | Registration Unit’s 2nd reminder for applying for renewal to the registered personnel (3 months before expiry of current registration) |
| 1 July 2024 |
|
| 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025 | Registration Unit will not accept his registration application for Tree Work Supervisor for one year |
| 1 July 2025 | He can submit his registration application for Tree Work Supervisor to the Registration Unit |
What should a registered tree management personnel do if he/she wish to de-register?
Registered tree management personnel could request for de-registration by writing to the Registration Unit. Registered personnel, once de-registered from a specific personnel type, can only apply for registration of the same personnel type again one year after the date of de-registration.
What organisations can the applicants contact if they have further enquiries about the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel?
They can contact the Registration Unit .
How to contact the Registration Unit?
Applicants can contact the Registration Unit via email at rstmp@devb.gov.hk, in writing or by phone at 2848 2334.
What are the office hours and address of the Registration Unit?
Office hours:
| Mondays to Fridays: |
8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Office is closed during lunch hour from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.) |
|---|---|
| Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: | Closed |
Address:
16/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong