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Geographic Information Systems Applications in Natural Resource Management

Geographic Information Systems Applications in Natural Resource Management. Chapter 17 Certification and Licensing of GIS users. Michael G. Wing & Pete Bettinger. Chapter 17 Objectives. Why certification and licensing of GIS users is being debated,

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Geographic Information Systems Applications in Natural Resource Management

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  1. Geographic Information SystemsApplications in Natural Resource Management Chapter 17 Certification and Licensing of GIS users Michael G. Wing & Pete Bettinger

  2. Chapter 17 Objectives • Why certification and licensing of GIS users is being debated, • What organizations might be relevant in certification and licensing discussions, and • How certification and licensing issues might affect the typical GIS user in a natural resource organization.

  3. GIS certification and licensing… • Is the most contentious issue facing GIS today • Has no clear answer in immediate sight • Must be resolved • Is fascinating as it is an acknowledgement that GIS has “arrived” and has an important role in contemporary society • How did we get to this point?

  4. GIS licensing and certification? • Disputes have arisen between the surveying, photogrammetry, and GIS professions • Initially over non-surveyors using GPS equipment and claiming accuracies • Most states have legislation stating that only surveyors and/or engineers are qualified to record and report measurements of earth’s features • Have initiated legal challenges in several states • Generally, these challenges have been successful: don’t collect data unless you’re licensed to do so • Who is trained to collect, process, and map spatial data? • In what capacity?

  5. Licensing • Clearly, state legislation will be required to further differentiate and clarify the roles of surveyors, photogrammetrists, and GIS users in Oregon • At present, anyone in Oregon who collects and presents information regarding area and/or topographic measurements should be licensed as a PE, PLS, or Photogrammetrist (ORS 672.005)

  6. Legislation • California has already passed legislation that states that those using a GIS with ownership data must do so under the guidance of a PLS • Legislation divides activities into two broad categories • Land surveying (requires a license) • All other activities • Legislation is broadly written and interpretation may include mapping • Oregon has modified state statutes to include photogrammetry

  7. MAPPS Lawsuit • Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors • Brought suit against U.S. Gov’t (June 2006) • Selection of federal contractors for surveying and mapping services based on pricing and qualifications • UCGIS, URISA, AAG, GISCI, GITA joined forces and fought back • Many in the GIS community worried • U.S. District Court rules (June 2007) that plantiff’s did not have standing • Could not demonstrate harm

  8. GIS community • Has never required certification or licensing • Very loosely organized in terms of a legislative presence • Can’t compete with land surveying and engineering boards • ASPRS has been only organization to offer a nationally recognized certification program • Few enrollees (n = 50) • URISA has built an experience-based certification program • No exams • Become a “GISP” after portfolio and payment submitted (n = 1709)

  9. NCEES • National council has drafted a “Model Law” that identifies surveying activities: • Using GIS to: • Determine earth’s features • Subdividing land • Locating control points, reference points, property • Survey license required!

  10. How do you become a professional land surveyor? • Graduate from a four year ABET-accredited land surveying or engineering curriculum • Take and pass eight-hour Fundamentals of Land Surveying exam (50% average passing rate) • Accumulate four years of land surveying experience under the guidance of a professional land surveyor • Successfully pass a six-hour national exam (70% passing rate) • Successfully pass a four-hour state (in Oregon) essay exam (40% passing rate) • Most states require a two-hour exam

  11. The need for licensing • Most professions have licensing • Defines standards necessary for competence • Education • Internship • Exams • Protects public welfare and safety • It is this quality that many proponents of licensing point make reference to • Fire hydrants • Emergency route mapping • Facility locations • Control and enforcement • Who makes sure that competency exists?

  12. Is licensing/certification necessary for the GIS community? • It depends but… • Until a national certification program is recognized and respected, GIS users will find themselves struggling with state and federal regulatory groups, other professions, and with each other for control of GIS activities

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