PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
September 2015
685
ASPRS L
idar
P
ractitioner
C
ertification
and
an
U
pdate on
A
ctivities
N
ew
L
idar
C
ertification
P
rogram
(J
uly
1, 2015)
As the ASPRS Certification Program continues to meet the needs of the Geospatial community, there
have been several new developments in 2015.
Of great interest to the lidar professionals and technologists, two new ASPRS certifications are now
available: Certified Mapping Scientist-Lidar and Lidar Technologist. These designations follow the same
format as was established for the Remote Sensing and GIS/LIS practitioners. The ASPRS Website has
been updated with new application forms and information to apply at:
The new lidar certifications are also available for the Student Intern
Program.
To support the new Lidar Certifications, a new review committee has been established with Karl
Heideman as the Chair, and Sanchit Agarwal and Al Karlin as committee members. In keeping with the
ASPRS By-laws, these three individuals were appointed by the ASPRS President.
U
pdated
R
ecertification
R
equirements
(M
ay
21, 2015)
The ASPRS Evaluation for Certification Committee recently met in Tampa at the IGTF 2015 Conference.
The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB - who provides accreditation for the
ASPRS Certifications) clarified that one “professional development hour” (PDH) is equal to one “contact
hour” of 50 to 60 minutes in a workshop, training session, seminar, or similar activity, such as professional
organization activities.
Also, CESB clarified that continued professional development (CPD) includes employment in the
field of certification, and that one-half of the recertification requirement can be fulfilled with continued
employment. For ASPRS Professional Certifications this means that 50 of the required 100 PDH/CPD
may be satisfied with continued employment. For ASPRS Technologist Certifications this means that 30
of the required 60 PDH/CPD may be satisfied with continued employment.
All pending and new recertifications will follow this guideline and the ASPRS Certification Webpage
has been updated.
UAS C
ertification
Following the very successful UAS Mapping Reno 2014 Conference, several attendees expressed the
need for a certification category to support UAS Mapping. AT IGTF-15 the ASPRS UAS Division was
established, and a new committee was formed, with Becky Morton as Chair, to follow the DACUM
(Developing a Curriculum) process and develop a Body of Knowledge/Tasks/Assessment Items for UAS
Mapping. The Body of Knowledge & Tasks is in draft form and a sub-committee has been formed to
begin writing Assessment Items (Exam Questions) following the ASPRS UAS Mapping 2015 conference
in Reno. The process and model for the UAS Certifications will be similar to the Lidar Certifications, i.e.,
Certified Mapping Scientist-UAS and UAS Technologist.
Mike Renslow
Chair, ASPRS Evaluation for Certification Committee
(
)
