3,231 GISPs (and Counting)

The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) has announced (PDF) that, as of the end of 2008, it had certified 3,231 GIS Professionals (GISPs). In fact, the December cohort of newly certified GISPs (345 of them) was the largest group to become certified in one month since certification began in 2003.

The Institute was not surprised to see an increase in certification applications as 2008 drew to a close. A five-year "grandfathering provision" expired at the end of the year, and many long-time GIS professionals were expected to take advantage of that provision. But the size of that increase was a surprise. More than 700 applications arrived in just the final week of the year, ending a strong year for the program; and promising large groups of new GISPs to start 2009.

GISCI President Al Butler suggest that the recent milestone reflects the maturity of GIS as a profession.

“What has been most remarkable to me over these first five years is the enthusiasm with which members of our profession have chosen to recognize themselves. People become GISPs as a way of declaring their membership in the GIS profession. They are also declaring their obligations to each other, their employers, and society to behave in an ethical manner. Every GISP must be an advocate for the profession.”

A searchable registry of GIS Professionals is available on the GISCI web site, along with more information about the program, application materials, and other information of interest to the GIS community.