Betulinic acid is a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid with a variety of biological applications; for example, its chemical derivative has antineoplastic action. The static maceration, heat reflux and focused microwave-assisted extraction of betulinic acid from Zizyphus joazeiro bark was investigated. Ethyl acetate was used as a solvent extractor due to its higher selectivity when compared to other solvents. Thus, the yield of the extracted betulinic acid ranged from 0.41 to 2.1 %. The conditions that produced the highest yield of betulinic acid (2.1 %) were a temperature of 77 ºC and an extraction time of 45 min by focused microwave-assisted extraction.