GIS-Pro 2026

This session offers a well-rounded look at various GISP certifications through updates to the GISCI certification program, industry perspective, and firsthand experience. Attendees will hear the latest from the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI), including new programs, initiatives, and opportunities to engage with the GISP® and GISP-E® pathways, as well as how GISCI continues to advance professional standards in the geospatial field.

The session also explores the broader question of certification value in today’s GIS industry, using survey results to examine trends in adoption, perceived benefits, and how certifications are viewed by employers and professionals over time. Finally, a personal account of earning the GISP certification provides practical insight into the requirements, preparation strategies, and challenges of the process, helping attendees better understand whether certification is the right step for their own career path.

Keywords: GIS, leadership, GISP, certification, professional development, education

Certification: Is it worth the effort?
Tripp Corbin, GISP, MCP, Senior GIS Professional, Consultant /Instructor, Cultivate Geospatial Solutions LLC, Dacula, GA - USA
 
 A Personal Experience With Obtaining GISP Certification
Ryan Norton, GISP, GIS Specialist, Town of Foxborough, Foxboro, MA - USA

An Update on the GISCI: What’s Happening and What’s New
Tony Spicci, CGMP GISP, Executive Director, GIS Certification Institute, Columbia, MO - USA