Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP)
Credential: Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP)
Credentialing Agency: GIS Certification Institute (GISCI)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI), Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) credential validates the knowledge and experience needed to successfully perform in the industry. GISPs use their knowledge and intellectual maturity to effectively approach problems and communicate solutions in an ethical manner. Candidates must meet a combination of education and experience requirements. Candidates must pass a written exam and must submit a portfolio of educational and professional achievements and contributions.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Attainability:
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience: 4 years
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 3 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
GIS Certification Institute (GISCI)
701 Lee Street
Suite 680
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: (847) 824-7768
Fax: (847) 824-6363
Email: info@gisci.org
Experience REQUIREMENTS
Candidate must have at least four years of equivalent full-time geospatial experience.
Education and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS
Candidate must submit for review a portfolio comprised of educational achievements, professional experience, and contributions to the profession. A minimum of 150 points must be documented in the above categories. A complete list of the points required can be found on the GISCI webpage.
Other REQUIREMENTS
The Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP) credential has the following other requirements:
- Candidate must adhere to the GIS Code of Ethics.
Written Exam
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Conceptual Foundations (10%)
- Understanding of datums, coordinate systems, and projections
- Understanding of representation of discrete features and continuous phenomena in GIS
- Knowledge of earth geometry and its approximations
- Knowledge of basic geomatics and relationships to GIS
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Geospatial Data Fundamentals (15%)
- Understanding of spatial data models and their associated planar geometries
- Understanding of spatial data relationships
- Understanding of data quality
- Understanding of data resolution
- Understanding of data validation and uncertainty
- Understanding of metadata
- Knowledge of temporal data
- Knowledge of spatial data standards, including ISO, FGDC, and OGC
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Cartography and Visualization (10%)
- Understanding of graphic representation techniques and implications
- Understanding of map design principles and essential map elements
- Understanding of surface interpretation and representation
- Understanding of 2D and 3D visualization
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Data Acquisition (11%)
- Understanding of digitization and other manual data collection and conversion methods
- Knowledge of field data collection
- Knowledge of automated data collection and conversion methods
- Knowledge of remotely sensed data sources and collection methods
- Knowledge of acquisition, use, and limitations of crowdsourced and open source data and services
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Data Manipulation (11%)
- Understanding of georeferencing, data format conversion, and data transformation
- Understanding of spatial data generalization operations and methods
- Understanding of spatial file types and their applications and limitations
- Understanding of data integration
-
Analytical Methods (11%)
- Understanding of data selection queries and views
- Understanding of techniques and implications of data classification
- Understanding of analytical operations and methods
- Knowledge of map algebra
- Knowledge of descriptive and spatial statistics
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Database Design and Management (10%)
- Understanding of relationships among database objects
- Understanding of database design
- Knowledge of database management and administration
- Awareness of basic application development methods
- Knowledge of data security
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Application Development (7%)
- Knowledge of data transfer protocols
- Knowledge of coding, scripting, and modeling basics
- Awareness of basic application development methods
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Systems Design and Management (7%)
- Knowledge of systems architecture and design, including various GIS softwares, platforms, and environments
- Knowledge of systems and application security
- Awareness of trends in geospatial technology
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Professional Practice (8%)
- Understanding of appropriate interpretation of work-related policies and procedures
- Understanding of ethics related to technical GIS work
- Knowledge of managing, documenting, and communicating GIS work
- Awareness of how GIS is used across other professions
- Awareness of GIS-related professional organizations and certification
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP) examination:
- Best Sources
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
Testing Information
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Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
For more information on the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) testing process, visit the agency website.
-
Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:
PSI
The test centers are located in the U.S.
To find out more, use the following links on the PSI website:
RECERTIFICATION
Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional (GISP)
Renewal Period: 3 years