On Becoming a GISP

[JosephKerski]

Awhile back, I completed a long time goal:  I applied to the GIS Certification Institute and became a certified professional in GIS (GISP).  The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization that provides the geographic information systems (GIS) community with an internationally-recognized, complete certification program.  The Institute is comprised of leading non-profit associations (AAG, NSGIC, UCGIS, URISA, GLIS, and others) focused on the application of GIS and geospatial technology. GISCI offers participants, from the first early years on the job until retirement, a positive method of developing value for professionals and employers in the GIS profession. GISP has a fascinating history and there are now over 10,000 active GISPs located throughout the world.  For more, see my video here.

GIS Certification Institute.

A GISP is therefore a certified geographic information systems (GIS) professional.  A GISP has met the minimum standards for educational achievement, professional experience, and manner in which he or she contributes back to the profession. A GISP must abide by higher guidelines for ethical behavior.  A GISP continues to educate and reeducate him or herself while preparing for recertification.  A GISP has had their professional background scrutinized and reviewed by the GISCI, an independent, third party organization.   A GISP can reside anywhere in the world;  active GISPs are currently found in all 50 States and 25 foreign countries.  A GISP is more than a practitioner of GIS technology:  A GISP is a professional, engaged in the profession and networking with other professionals.

The current GISP Certification process consists of an application that describes an applicant's background in (1) ethics, (2) education, (3) experience, and (4) contributions to the Profession.  It also includes a rigorous but necessary exam.  Once that application, accompanying documentation, exam, and payment are submitted, the review generally takes from 30 to 45 days for approval.  Selected GISPs are performing groundbreaking work in the process of continually improving the exam as GIS continues to evolve.  The exam was originally based on the Geospatial Technical Competency Model (GTCM) that was approved by the Department of Labor in 2010.

Are you a busy GIS professional and think this process will take a long time?  Not to worry.  Bill Hodge, Tony Spicci, and the other staff at GISCI and GIS professionals have labored long and hard on the application process to make it as straightforward as possible.  Although it takes awhile to assemble the necessary documentation and write the statements you need, (1) It took much less time than I had expected, particularly since I maintain an active curriculum vita.  (2) Becoming GISP was absolutely worth doing.  Upon receiving my acceptance letter and certificate, I was proud to have attained this achievement, and more importantly, to give back to my profession that has given so much to me.

[curtvprice]

As a long time Fed, I didn't really see the need, but now since I am an academic and doing some private sector work I'm thinking about it again, and you, Joseph, as usual, are inspirational.

Your argument is sound: certification is good for the whole profession; it raises the bar and encourages excellence and continuous education, so it should be supported by all of us.

[BarryWaite1]

I was on the committee that created the certification process and still have strong misgivings as to the value of the program. Early on, we realized there was no test we could use because GIS practitioners are in such totally varied fields and uses of GIS. For example, some use programing every day while others never do. Some deal with projections on a daily basis while others rarely even consider the issue or use custom projections that aren't useful for others. We came to agreement on what to include, but we knew it was a loose framework that should not be considered a measure of competence. To see some agencies using it as a tool for hiring was my greatest fear, and that is happening. It isn't even a good initial screening tool because it is too broad for any particular job. I still don't know how we can make it work really. 

[curtvprice]

Isn't the competence also measured by other requirements besides simply passing tests? I'm sure there are many FE's that would not have passed through just based on excellent test scores.

[BarryWaite1]

I don't think any of the criteria in the GISP certification measure competence. If you want to know if someone can do the job, you need to look at their work.

[FabianShenk2]

Congratulations Dr. Kerski on this amazing accomplishment. I hope to follow your steps to completing the GISP certificate and really appreciate the timing of this article. Thank you for the additional insight into this important certification.

[Ksatterfield]

The GISP certification is becoming as important, if not more important, than college degrees.

First, college degrees are becoming less important overall. Many job listings now don't require college degrees that used to. The problem with college degrees is that degrees from different colleges are not equivalent. Someone with a GIS degree from MIT will obviously be a much more capable than someone with a GIS degree from a cheap online program. Hiring managers don't have the time or expertise to analyze the different GIS programs that their applicants have attended. Furthermore, students can achieve the same degrees with very different experiences. One student can take the hardest classes, complete internships, and participate in the student government while another student takes the easiest classes possible and those two students can graduate with the same degree.

Employers value the GISP certification because it is a standardized process that is the same for all GISP certificate holders. All GISP's have completed the same amount of education, experience, contributions to the profession, and passed the same comprehensive test.

Also, to earn a GISP you have to have work experience. Work experience is becoming more valuable than college degrees. Someone can sit in their dark bedroom and earn a college degree. To earn a GISP certification, you have to participate in the workforce and GIS community for years.

Currently, there are many more people with a GIS degree than there are GISP certification holders. It seems to me like people with GISP certifications are highly valued in the workforce while there is an over-supply of people with GIS degrees.

Also, here are some great resources for preparing for the GISP exam...

Youtube channel:  GISP Study

Book: The Ultimate GISP Exam Study Guide

[BarryWaite1]

That is absolutely NOT how the GISP was intended to be used. How do I know? Because I was on the committee that put the program together. It was never intended to be a requirement for a job or a certification of competence. The fact is GIS jobs vary greatly in the skills and knowledge needed to do them. There is no test that is usable across professions and applications. You need to look at what is needed in your own organization and select based on that, not the GISP exam.

[theGISguru]

I recently passed the GISP exam and am well on my way to achieving a GISP certification. This certification process has been amazing for my career and I haven't even gotten the certification yet. Due pursuing this certification, my employer has paid for me to attend conferences, paid for memberships in organizations, allowed me to study for it at work, and is treating me more like an up-and-comer than just another stagnant employee.

I don't understand all the negativity toward the GISP certification. If you don't like it, don't get it. Spending your time spamming blogs against the GISP certification is just wasting your time.

I was already on my way to achieving all the criteria for the GISP before taking the exam. I was already working in GIS, had achieved the educational requirements, and was contributing to the profession on my own time. Now that I'm doing these things to pursue a certification that my employer can brag about, my employer is paying me to do these things on their time.

Also, there are alot of complaints about the availability of study material for the test, but I just listened to this Youtube channel on the drive to and from work for a few months leading up to the exam and I passed:   https://www.youtube.com/@GISPStudy