The Certification
The current GISP® Certification process consists of a portfolio-based application and exam that illustrates an applicant's background in education, professional experience, and contributions to the profession. All new applicants must successfully pass the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam® along with the portfolio review process. The GISP certification program has received accreditation from The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB).
The GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam® was developed in 2015. Selected GISPs performed groundbreaking work in the process of creating the exam based on job analysis, the Geospatial Technical Competency Model (GTCM) approved by the Department of Labor in 2010, and the GIS&T Body of Knowledge.
All new GISPs are certified for a period of 3 years, and all recertifying GISPs are certified for the same 3-year period. Experienced GISPs may apply for the GISP-R (GISP-Retired) designation when they leave the industry.