PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
July 2017
467
SECTOR
INSIGHT:
.
org
E
ducation
and
P
rofessional
D
evelopment
in
the
G
eospatial
I
nformation
S
cience
and
T
echnology
C
ommunity
By Mike Renslow, Chair, ASPRS Evaluation for Certification Committee
ASPRS Certification Program
T
he Articles of Incorporation of the American Society
for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
state that ASPRS will exert its influence towards the
betterment of standards and ethics. A growing num-
ber of scientific and technical disciplines depend on photogram-
metry 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 users of these services, that such information and data
be accurate and dependable. To this end, ASPRS has been
actively working on developing its certification program
aiming at establishing and maintaining high standards of
ethical conduct and professional practice among photogram-
metrists, mapping scientists, technologists, and interns.
The intent of the ASPRS certification is focused on certifying
individuals for recognition by successfully completing a
process established by their peers, and distinguishing
themselves from the general body of practitioners in their
field. In the last forty-two years, as science and technology
have changed, the ASPRS Certification Program has
dramatically grown and now encompasses the full breadth of
the geospatial sciences.
C
ertification
vs
. L
icensure
There is a distinction between
certification
and
licensure
. Sim-
ply stated, ASPRS certification is official recognition by one’s
colleagues and peers that an individual has demonstrated pro-
fessional integrity and competence in his or her field. As such,
the ASPRS voluntary certification program is considered “spe-
cialty certification.” It is not a substitute for licensure as, for
example, is required for a Land Surveyor. Licensing 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 gov-
ernments 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 lo-
cal state, county, etc. whether or not you secure certification.
ASPRS C
ertification
P
rogram
D
evelopment
T
imeline
Program of Certification of Photogrammetrists
The Professional Activities Committee, after several years of
careful study, developed a program for certification of photo-
grammetrists. The origins of the ASPRS Certification Pro-
gram were approved by the American Society of Photogram-
metry (ASP) Board of Direction at its meeting in Washington,
D.C. on March 13, 1975.
Development of the Certified Mapping Scientist –
Remote Sensing Program
With the advent of satellite imagery and remote sensing in the
early 1980s, the program added a new certification for Certi-
fied Mapping Scientist-Remote Sensing, which was followed by
the emergence of GIS, which resulted in a Certified Mapping
Scientist-GIS/LIS in the early 1990s. The ‘Certified Mapping
Scientist’ designation validates that applicants must have a
working knowledge of photogrammetry, remote sensing, and
GIS (plus earth science, standards, ethics, and practice issues).
Development of the Certified Mapping Scientist –
GIS/LIS Program
On March 28, 1991, the ASPRS Board of Directors approved
a proposal made by the National Photogrammetrist Recogni-
tion Committee of the Professional Practice Division to mod-
ify the original program to include two new categories of cer-
tification: Mapping Scientist- Remote Sensing, and Mapping
Scientist - GIS/LIS. At the same time, the Board approved
a recertification program that assures that certified persons
keep up with the technology that is rapidly changing.
Introduction of the Written Exam Requirement
Until 1999, the ASPRS certification process was based on
peer review of an application and four confidential referenc-
“...the ASPRS Certification Program has
dramatically grown and now encompasses
the full breadth of the geospatial sciences.”
Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing
Vol. 83, No. 7, July 2017, pp. 467–470
0099-1112/17/467–470
© 2017 American Society for Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing
doi: 10.14358/PERS.83.7.467
