January 28, 2011: The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) today made public a proposal to update requirements for GIS Professional (GISP) certification. Key among the proposed updates is the addition of a required examination. The Working Group that prepared the proposal recommends that the exam be based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s new Geospatial Technology Competency Model and related resources.

The “GISP Certification Update” proposal is available for public review at http://www.gisci.org, along with instructions on how individuals can share their views about proposed changes. As part of its deliberations the GISCI Board of Directors will consider comments received between February 1 and February 28, 2011. A Board decision about proposed changes is expected in April, 2011.

GISCI has certified nearly 5,000 GISPs since its founding in 2004. The purpose of GISP certification is to advance the GIS profession by promoting competent and ethical practice. The goal of the GISP Certification Update Initiative is to strengthen GISP certification by increasing its value to individual GISPs, to the profession, and to society.

For more information about GISCI and GISP certification, visit http://www.gisci.org.