Des Plaines, IL (October 30, 2025) — The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) announces an important policy update to the GISP® recertification process. Effective January 1, 2026, the recertification grace period will be reduced from 12 months to 6 months following the certification expiration date.
Under this new policy, GISP® certificants who do not complete the recertification process within six (6) months of their certification expiration will no longer be eligible to recertify. Instead, they will be required to begin the full certification process anew to regain the GISP® credential.
This change is part of GISCI’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity, timeliness, and professional relevance of the GISP certification. Shortening the grace period aligns GISCI’s procedures with best practices across other accredited professional certification programs and encourages GISP® certificants to maintain continuous certification without extended lapses.
GISCI encourages all current and prospective GISP® certificants to review their certification dates and plan recertification activities accordingly to avoid any interruption in their credential status.
For more information about GISP® recertification requirements, visit www.gisci.org or contact info@gisci.org.
About GISCI
The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is a nonprofit that supports and advances excellence in the geospatial profession. Through our internationally recognized certification programs—GISP® (Certified GIS Professional) and GISP-E (Emerging GIS Professional)—we set and uphold high standards of competency, integrity, and service in the GIS field.
For more information, visit www.gisci.org.
Media Contact: Tony Spicci, GISP, CGMP / Executive Director, GIS Certification Institute / 847.824.7768 / tspicci@gisci.org