Minimum Required Points for Initial Certification
The GISP is expected to be knowledgeable of the ethical considerations of this industry and will conduct him or herself in an ethical manner in all aspects of the job.
Experience is the most important factor in applying skills to real world problems, and education plays a very important role in providing the knowledge and intellectual maturity required to approach problems and communicate solutions effectively. In addition, professionals must contribute to the advancement of the profession by donating their skills in professional efforts not designed for individual compensation, but rather to maintain the fundamental health of the Profession.
This forms the basis for the minimum number of points required in each category. The minimums are based upon a model GIS Professional who possess the following characteristics: a baccalaureate degree in any field supplemented with a number of courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and other documented educational activities whose subject matter relates directly to GIS and geospatial data technologies; at least four years of equivalent full-time experience in a position that involves spatial data compilation, teaching, GIS analysis, design, or programming; and more years if in a GIS user position; and a demonstrated record of participating and/or presenting in GIS conferences, publications, or GIS-related events (such as GIS-Day).
Flexibility is important, of course. GISCI recognizes that there are many professionals who should qualify but do not have the formal background that is currently available to those who are now at the beginning of their careers, and that there are other professionals who have not yet built a record or do not have institutional support to contribute back to the profession. As a result, points for a variety of different activities within the three categories of Education, Experience, and Contributions allow those non-typical individuals to qualify with different points that add up to equivalent levels.
The minimum number of points needed to become a certified GIS Professional, as detailed in the three point schedules below, is 150 points.
All applicants are expected to document achievements valued at a minimum of 150 points. To ensure that applicants have a broad foundation, specific minimums in each of the three achievement categories must be met or exceeded. These minimums are as follows:
| Education - Section I: |
30 Points |
| Experience- Section II: |
60 Points |
| Contributions - Section III: |
8 Points |
The additional 52 points can be counted from any of the three categories. The applicant has complete flexibility in deciding how to make up this difference. In other words, the 52 points can be made up from any combination of points from any one (or more) of the categories.
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