American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Current PE&RS Cover

Certification and Recertification Guidelines
for the ASPRS Certification Program

Table of Contents

General Information Purpose and Objectives Basic Requirements
- Certified Photogrammetrist - Certified Mapping Scientist, Remote Sensing - Certified Mapping Scientist, GIS/LIS	- Certified Photogrammetric Technologist - Certified Remote Sensing Technologist - Certified GIS/LIS Technologist
Educational Credits - Certified - Certified Technologist
Recertification Requirements - Certified - Certified Technologist
Recertification Criteria - Certified - Certified Technologist (TBD)
Inactive/Retired Certified Professionals Provisional Certification Program
How to Apply Application Fees Preparing for the Examination Administrative Procedures Award of Certification and Recertification Seals and Stamps Reservations

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Articles of Incorporation of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing state that it will exert its influence towards the betterment of standards and ethics.

To this end, the Society’s Professional Activities Committee, after several years of careful study, developed a program for certification of photogrammetrists. This program was approved by the American Society of Photogrammetry (ASP) Board of Direction at its meeting in Washington. D.C. on March 13, 1975. On March 28, 1991, the ASPRS Board of Directors approved a proposal made by the National Photogrammetrist Recognition Committee of the Professional Practice Division to modify the original program to include two new categories of certification: Mapping Scientist, Remote Sensing; and Mapping Scientist, GIS/LIS. The Board approved a recertification program that assures that certified persons keep up with the technology that is rapidly changing. The Board on October 28, 1997 approved a modification to the program adding a requirement of a written examination effective January 1, 1998.

In May 2006, the ASPRS Board of Directors approved the Provisional Certification Program recommended by the Evaluation for Certification Committee. Students preparing to graduate in spatial science programs may apply for Certification and become “provisionally certified” until they complete the on-job experience requirement. Provisionally certified individuals will have a specified period of time to achieve the on-job experience at which time, they will become fully certified as outlined below.

There is a distinction between certification and licensure. Simply stated, ASPRS certification is official recognition by one’s colleagues and peers that an individual has demonstrated professional integrity and competence in their field. As such, the ASPRS voluntary certification program is considered "specialty certification." It is not a substitute for licensure as, for example, a Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer. Licensure is a legal act on the part of states to protect the public health, safety and welfare. It is a procedure by which various state and local governments require the licensing of certain professions, practices, trades, etc. under formal statutes and ordinances to protect the well-being of its citizens. Licensure may be required by your local state, county, etc. whether or not you secure certification.

The program as approved is entirely voluntary. It applies equally to persons associated with the several subdivisions of photogrammetry and the mapping sciences, which by Society definition includes aerial photography, photogrammetric photographic interpretation, geographic information systems, remote sensing systems, and land information systems. However, in accordance with the Society’s Code of Ethics, persons certified should decline to undertake any work within, or related to the fields of photogrammetry and mapping sciences that is outside their range of competence.

Information on how to apply for certification, basic requirements, educational credits, and administrative review procedures are outlined below.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

A growing number of scientific and technical disciplines depend on photogrammetry and the mapping sciences for reliable measurements and information. It is in the interest of those who provide photogrammetric and mapping sciences services, as well as the user of these services, that such information and data be accurate and dependable. The ASPRS Certification Program has as its purpose the establishment and maintenance of high standards of ethical conduct and professional practice among photogrammetrists, mapping scientists, and technologists.

The primary objectives of the programs are:

	1.	To identify and recognize those persons who, after careful, just appraisal by their peers, and after passing a written examination are considered to have met the requirements established by the Society for certification.
	2.	To provide a basis for weighing the validity or allegations and complaints that involve practicing photogrammetrists and mapping scientists, and for taking appropriate action in connection therewith.
	3.	To encourage persons as yet not fully qualified to work towards certification as a goal of professional achievement.
	4.	To encourage certified persons, through the recertification process, to continue their professional achievements as the rapid change in technology occurs.

The ASPRS Certification Program is voluntary and open to all qualified individuals, whether or not they are members of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

The program is applicable to persons associated with one or more functional areas of photogrammetry and the mapping sciences. Work of the professional and technical levels in each of the areas is outlined in the Classification Chart for Photogrammetry and the Mapping Sciences.

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BASIC REQUIREMENTS

In view of the wide variety of skills and disciplines studied and practiced by photogrammetrists and mapping scientists, the ASPRS Certification Program is based primarily on evidence of demonstrated professional capability. Within prescribed limitations it does permit experience to be substituted for education and vice versa and requires a written examination. Following are basic requirements for:

Certified Photogrammetrist (ASPRS)
A professional who uses photogrammetric technology to extract measurements and make maps and interpret data from images. The Photogrammetrist is responsible for all phases of mapping and other mensuration requirements, which include planning and supervising survey activities for control, specifying photography or other imagery requirements, managing projects for mapping or other mensuration requirements and interpretation.

	1.	Six years of experience in photogrammetry, three years of which were in a position of professional responsibility demonstrating professional knowledge and competence.
	2.	References from four persons who are holding, or who have held, responsible positions in photogrammetry and have first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s professional and personal qualifications.
	3.	Declaration of compliance with the Code of Ethics of the ASPRS.
	4.	Successful completion of a written examination.

Certified Mapping Scientist, Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
A professional that specializes in analysis of images acquired from aircraft, satellites or ground bases, or platforms using visual or computer-assisted technology. Analysis is used by various specialized disciplines in the study of natural resources, temporal changes, and for land use planning. They develop analytical techniques and sensor systems.

	1.	Three years of experience in photogrammetric and/or cartographic applications, all of which have been in a position of responsibility that demonstrated knowledge and competence in planning and application.
	2.	Three years of specialized experience at a professional level in remote sensing and interpretation of data from various imaging systems and/or design of remote sensing systems.
	3.	References from four persons who are holding or who have held responsible positions in the mapping sciences and remote sensing and have first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s professional and personal qualifications.
	4.	Declaration of compliance with the Code of Ethics of the ASPRS.
	5.	Successful completion of a written examination.

Certified Mapping Scientist, GIS/LIS (ASPRS)
A professional involved in GIS/LIS systems design and/or systems application of data base management and computer programs that allow for the utilization of spatially referenced data bases for solving user analysis requirements. They are responsible for the integration of data needs and the development of correspondence between and the utilization of various spatial systems of often-different generic origins that are used to solve requirements.

	1.	Three years experience in mapping sciences or photogrammetry in a position of responsibility demonstrating professional knowledge of and competence in mapping science and mapping procedures.
	2.	Three years of professional experience in the Geographic or Land Information Systems, during which professional knowledge and competence in those systems were demonstrated.
	3.	References from four persons who are holding, or who have held, responsible positions in the mapping sciences and in the Geographic or Land Information Systems area and have first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s professional and personal qualifications.
	4.	Declaration of compliance with the Code of Ethics of the ASPRS.
	5.	Successful completion of a written examination.

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EDUCATIONAL CREDITS

When computing the number of years of experience under basic requirements, credit may be taken, in lieu of actual job experience, for degrees in engineering, or in the natural or physical sciences, on the following basis:

Type of Degree		Years of Credit
	Bachelor’s	1/2
	Master’s	1/2
	Doctorate	1/2

RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Anyone who has been certified by the ASPRS is certified for life unless there is cause to remove the certification for malpractice or violation of the Code of Ethics of ASPRS. The Society has a Recertification Program to assure that a certified person has maintained or improved on the skill and knowledge that allowed for certification. The Society will maintain an ACTIVE CERTIFICATION LIST that requires recertification every five years. Certified persons will appear on the Active Certified list for as long as their certification is in force.

Recertification applicants are required to fill out the Recertification application to show the type of activity that they have practiced and their professional involvement in the mapping sciences. They must also have four references who have knowledge of the applicant’s professional and personal involvement in the last five years. Each applicant must earn twenty-five points based on the following criteria that will be reviewed by the evaluation for Certification Committee.

RECERTIFICATION CRITERIA

Possible Points	Evaluation Criterion
up to 20	Applicant has been active in providing services in the area to be recertified, or has been in the academic arena involved directly with those subjects.
up to 8	Applicant has participated in panels, presented or published technical papers.
up to 8	Applicant has attended and taken workshops or classes in related subjects or Equal Industry Standards.
up to 4	Applicant has attended technical conferences sponsored by ASPRS, URISA, SPIE, or GITA, and other appropriate professional meetings. Applicant has actively served on ASPRS Standing Committees.

The application must be specific so the Evaluation for Certification Committee can properly evaluate applicant's activities. The application and the references are the only criteria needed for recertification. (Applicant could be asked by the Committee to submit to an interview with them).

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INACTIVE/RETIRED CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS

Certified Professionals who do not become recertified are automatically placed in either an Inactive or Retired status. Individuals in either category are not permitted to use their seal to sign plans or otherwise indicate in any way that they are active Certified Professionals. An online searchable list of all active Certified Professionals in each category is maintained.

Individuals whose Certified status is Inactive or Retired for a period longer than one (1) year following Active status may apply for recertification provided that, in addition to the standard recertification criteria (outlined above), they take and pass the examination in their respective certification area.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS, Technologists

Certified Photogrammetric Technologist (ASPRS)
A technician who performs or supervises technical photogrammetric tasks to extract spatial data from photographic or digital imagery and other remotely-sensed data.

Certified Remote Sensing Technologist (ASPRS)
A technician who performs or supervises tasks to interpret, manipulate, extract, process and convert remotely sensed data from photographic or digital imagery and other remotely-sensed data.

Certified GIS/LIS Technologist (ASPRS)
A technician who integrates a variety of spatial data sets into a GIS format designed for graphic output or analysis.

Requirements:
These requirements apply for all Technologist categories:

	1.	A total of three years experience, of which two are in the specialty category.
	2.	Four references must be submitted from persons knowledgeable of the applicant's work experience and personal conduct.
	3.	Applicant must submit a non-refundable application fee. The Application includes a declaration of compliance with the Code of Ethics of the ASPRS.
	4.	The successful completion of a written examination following peer review and approval.

EDUCATIONAL CREDITS, Technologists

An Associate, or higher education degree can be counted as one-half year towards total time.

RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, Technologists

To maintain active certification, all Certified Technologists must apply for recertification every three years.

PROV