Licensing of Photogrammetrists and GIS Professionals: ASPRS Policies

1. ASPRS The Imaging and Geospatial Information Society Professional Practice Division Professional Licensing Position and Policies May 2003

2. Background: This presentation has been developed to briefly discuss the issues and outline the current policies adopted by the ASPRS Board regarding licensing of photogrammetrists and GIS professionals. ASPRS Regions are encouraged to use this presentation as a guideline expressing the official ASPRS position, and for discussing professional registration issues within their regions, respective state boards, and other interested parties.

3. Definitions National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) • A national non-profit organization composed of engineering and land surveying licensing boards representing all U.S. states and territories. • Has numerous responsibilities, one of which is to maintain the “Model Law” which are provisions intended to be used as guides in the preparation or revision of licensing laws and rules of conduct for professional engineers and professional surveyors. • For More Information: http://www.ncees.org

4. Definitions Multi-Organization Task Force (MOTF) • A group of seven organizations whose constituencies maintain a vital interest in the modification and promulgation of the Model Law for Surveying by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). • Focused on generating a consensus for recommendations to NCEES concerning the responsibilities of the professional surveyor with respect to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS).

5. Certification Voluntary Peer Control Personal and Professional Development Expertise Exam Possibly Required Licensure Mandatory Jurisdiction Control Protect Public Welfare “Minimum” Competence Exam Mandatory The Difference?Certification vs. Licensing

6. ASPRS Certification • Application/References • Peer Review • Examination • Recertification Every Five Years • Info at: http://www.asprs.org/asprs/membership/certification

7. Professional LicensingProfessional Land Surveyor-PLS(Varies From State to State) • Application/References • Examination(s) • Education and Experience • Annual Renewal with Professional Development Credit requirement (some states) • Info at: Your State’s Professional Regulatory Board

8. Significant Licensing Issuesfor Photogrammetrists • Grandfathering • Identity of the Profession • Examinations • Reciprocity/Comity/Ease of Mobility

9. Significant Licensing Issuesfor GIS Professionals • Breadth of Preamble Paragraph • -Definitions • Licensing: Practice vs. Use of Tools • -Inclusions and Exclusions • Regulatory Interest: High vs. Low

10. The ASPRS Policy. . . ASPRS has developed a policy entitled “ASPRS Policy and Procedures concerning Licensure of Photogrammetrists and GIS Professionals”. The policy was approved by the ASPRS Board in September 2002, and is to serve as a guideline for regional licensing activities. This policy must be read and understood prior to representing ASPRS in licensing issues. The policy can be obtained from ASPRS Headquarters as well as the PPD-Licensing Committee web page.

11. Policy Statement: The policy of ASPRS on the issue of licensingof photogrammetrists and GIS professionals,developed in accordance with goals set forthin the ASPRS Strategic Plan, is stated as follows: • ASPRS supports the licensing of photogrammetrists and selected GIS professionals*, provided it is accomplished in a fair and reasonable manner.** • ASPRS endorses adoption of the NCEES Model Law in any jurisdiction where licensing is considered as a requirement for the practice of photogrammetry and/or GIS.*** • *Those practicing in areas defined as “inclusions” in the MOTF reports and NCEES Model Law • **1997 Multi-Organizational Summit Meeting • ***ASPRS Strategic Plan

12. Policy Statement continued. . . • ASPRS engages in constructive dialogue with the broader surveying and mapping community, representing the interests of the ASPRS members and promulgating this Policy on issues related to licensing and its jurisdiction-specific implementation.* • ASPRS provides expert advice to state licensing boards related to standards, examinations, and the interpretation of specific legislative language referring to the practice of photogrammetry and GIS.** • *1997 Multi-Organizational Summit meeting • **1997, 2000 Multi-Organizational Task Force Reports

13. Policy Statement continued. . . • In support of jurisdiction- or NCEES-developed examinations on photogrammetric or GIS practice, ASPRS may release Certification Program examination items in a controlled manner so as not to compromise the security of the ASPRS Certification examination.* • Any representative of ASPRS, including Regions and Chapters, involved in dialogue with other parties concerning the jurisdiction-specific implementation of the Model Law or derivatives thereof are expected to promote and support ASPRS policy and implementation as set forth herein.** • *NCEES POLC Annual Reports, ASPRS Certification Committee Meeting Minutes • **Excom and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, ASPRS Bylaws

14. Policy Statement continued. . . • The primary spokesperson on licensure issues at the jurisdiction (state) level will normally be a Region representative, assisted by the ASPRS Professional Practice Division (PPD), the ASPRS Multi-organizational Task Force Representatives, the NCEES Participating Organizations Liaison Council (POLC) Representative, and headquarters personnel. Region spokesperson(s) will endorse established ASPRS policy and positions as described above. New or proposed variations of position or policy must be approved through ASPRS leadership, according to the process described by this document.* • *Excom and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

15. Policy Statement continued. . . • An organizational infrastructure, depicted in the attached chart, will be maintained by ASPRS to ensure a consensus approach to policy and procedure maintenance and to ensure effective communication at all levels of ASPRS governance. • Review chart in next slide. . .

16. President Executive Director Board of Directors PPD Director (and Asst.) PPD Committee on Licensure Multi-Organization Task Force Representatives (2) NCEES POLC Representative (1) National Directors Region Officers Chapter Officers Local Committeeson Licensure Organizational Infrastructure Chart Governance Body re: Licensing Policy Local & Regional Representation on Licensing Matters

17. Supporting Documents-Model Law. . . NCEES Model Law forms the basis for ASPRS licensure policy. It is advisable to review the model law and its applicability to your region’s or state’s current licensing activity. The Model Law can be accessed at NCEES: http://www.ncees.org/introduction/about_ncees/model_law.pdf

18. Supporting Documents-Model Law. . . ASPRS application of the Model Law can be accessed through the ASPRS web site at: http://www.asprs.org/asprs/news/NCEES_frame.html The Model Law includes a section of inclusions and exclusions which have been developed in order to promote an understanding of what activities should be included and excluded when licensing is considered.

19. Supporting Documents-Jurisdictional Statutes. . . State codes or licensing regulations must be reviewed in order to fully understand the current definitions and requirements associated with land surveying, photogrammetry, and GIS (if applicable). Most states that have passed, or are developing licensing laws quickly realize the need for redefining the terms and making adjustments to their respective regulations to incorporate photogrammetrists and GIS professionals within the land surveying umbrella.

20. Supporting Organizations • There are numerous organizations that must be considered as partners when approaching the licensing issue. These organizations will differ from state to state, but will typically include the following: • Private and public photogrammetry groups • Surveyors associations • GIS groups • Local and state government professionals • Professors and other academia representatives • Regulatory Board and the Board’s survey section

21. Supporting Organizations It is imperative that all groups and organizations that may in some way be affected by any licensing regulation be fully maintained “in the loop” of any and all discussions regarding licensing in order to build consensus among all affected groups. Failure to include one or more of these organizations could result in delay or defeat of any legislative or regulatory action to implement licensing. Consensus building is not a quick and easy process, but is a very necessary one. Be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to the licensing effort.

22. Supporting Organizations The ASPRS Professional Practice Division has formed the “Licensure Committee” which will serve as the clearinghouse for information. The Licensure Committee is to be kept informed of licensing activity in each state. The responsibility of communicating the information to the Licensure Committee rests with each respective region’s National Director or other designee. Likewise, the Licensure Committee is responsible for responding to information requests from the regions and other interested parties.

23. ASPRS Support The following individuals are involved with licensing issues nationwide, regionally, and state to state. They are available to assist and clarify licensing issues as they arise. Please use them as a resource to insure consistent application of the ASPRS policies and NCEES Model Law. Jim Plasker – Executive Director John Simmers – PPD Director Doug Fuller – Licensure Committee (Contact Information is available on the last slide)

24. For More Information: Contact your regional ASPRS officers OR www.asprs.org jplasker@asprs.org / Ph: 301-493-0290 X-102 John.Simmers@VirginiaDOT.org/ Ph: 804-786-2571 dfuller@aerometric.com / Ph: 920-457-3631