The certification uses a point system to determine eligibility from three areas: education, experience, and contributions. The minimum total points required for certification is 150, and of those points 30 must come from education, 60 from experience working in GIS jobs, and eight from contributions to the field. The remaining points can come from any of the three areas.
You can also qualify for certification through the Grandfathering Provision, which is for more experienced workers in the field and has been available only through 2008. If you have at least eight years of experience in data analysis, system design, programming, or related GIS jobs you may automatically qualify. For those in a data compilation or teaching position, the requirement is 13 and one-third years. Those in a user position will need to have 20 years of experience or a combination of positions that add up to the appropriate number of points (200). For this certification, only experience is used to determine eligibility.
If you are going for the traditional certification, you must have been employed for at least four years in the field to qualify and have the minimum 60 points. If you haven't been employed for four years but have the required number of points, you will still have to wait for the 48-month employment requirement to be met. Points are awarded based on skill sets and positions. Certain GIS jobs will allow for more points than others. This fulfills the experience requirement.
For the educational requirement section of the certification, an applicant must have a minimum of 30 points that come from up to three categories. GIS jobs do not have any bearing on points in this section. The first are credential points, which come from completing formal education such as a certificate or degree program. Next are the course points, which come from completing classes, workshops, and other types of formal training. Lastly, conference points are acquired. The combination of these points is what fulfills the educational requirement.
GIS Certification allows you to use the title ''GISP'' after your name, indicating to hiring professionals and management that you are an experienced professional in the field. Many times positions are reclassified within a company, and showing that you have professional certification allows your company to place you in a number of GIS jobs, and possibly giving you a raise.
In addition, many states have formally recognized GIS certification as a way to ensure a certain level of education, experience, and ethics. North Carolina was the first to do so in 2004. Oregon followed in 2005 and by the end of 2006 GISCI had certified over 1,000 GISPs. Within the past year three more states have recognized GISCI certification. New Jersey officially endorsed GISCI certification in September of 2007. Ohio followed in February of 2008 and California joined with its endorsement in April of 2008. All three states gave their endorsements as recognition of the geospatial community of professionals. The National Association of Counties has also officially endorsed the program.
Employers can take advantage of the certification program by learning what standards are required. Unlike certifications that are based on completion of an exam, the GISCI evaluates a complete portfolio, giving a better-rounded picture of the person. It would serve employers well to pay for the certification of their employees or to require new hires to have the certification as a minimum requirement. This can save thousands of dollars in training or costly mistakes.
Review the requirements for certification and make sure you meet the minimums before going for it. You can even tally up your points beforehand to make sure you have enough. The decision to get certified is possibly one of the best ones you can make for your career.
