ASPRSASPRSThe Imaging and GeospatialThe Imaging and Geospatial

Information SocietyInformation Society

Professional Practice DivisionProfessional Practice Division

Professional LicensingProfessional LicensingPosition and PoliciesPosition and Policies

May 2003May 2003

This presentation has been developed to briefly This presentation has been developed to briefly discuss the issues and outline the current policies discuss the issues and outline the current policies adopted by the ASPRS Board regarding licensing of adopted by the ASPRS Board regarding licensing of photogrammetrists and GIS professionals.photogrammetrists and GIS professionals.

ASPRS Regions are encouraged to use this ASPRS Regions are encouraged to use this presentation as a guideline expressing the official presentation as a guideline expressing the official ASPRS position, and for discussing professional ASPRS position, and for discussing professional registration issues within their regions, respective registration issues within their regions, respective state boards, and other interested parties.state boards, and other interested parties.

Background:Background:

DefinitionsDefinitionsNational Council of Examiners for EngineeringNational Council of Examiners for Engineering

and Surveying (NCEES)and Surveying (NCEES)

A national non-profit organization composed of A national non-profit organization composed of engineering and land surveying licensing boards engineering and land surveying licensing boards representing all U.S. states and territories.representing all U.S. states and territories.

Has numerous responsibilities, one of which is to Has numerous responsibilities, one of which is to maintain the “Model Law” which are provisions maintain the “Model Law” which are provisions intended to be used as guides in the preparation or intended to be used as guides in the preparation or revision of licensing laws and rules of conduct for revision of licensing laws and rules of conduct for professional engineers and professional surveyors. professional engineers and professional surveyors.

For More Information: For More Information: http://www.ncees.orghttp://www.ncees.org

DefinitionsDefinitions

Multi-Organization Task Force (MOTF)Multi-Organization Task Force (MOTF)

A group of seven organizations whose A group of seven organizations whose constituencies maintain a vital interest in the constituencies maintain a vital interest in the modification and promulgation of the Model modification and promulgation of the Model Law for Surveying by the National Council of Law for Surveying by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).(NCEES).

Focused on generating a consensus for Focused on generating a consensus for recommendations to NCEES concerning the recommendations to NCEES concerning the responsibilities of the professional surveyor responsibilities of the professional surveyor with respect to the use of Geographic with respect to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS).Information Systems (LIS).

The Difference?The Difference?Certification vs. Certification vs.

LicensingLicensing

CertificationCertification VoluntaryVoluntary Peer ControlPeer Control Personal and Personal and

Professional Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

ExpertiseExpertise Exam Possibly Exam Possibly

RequiredRequired

LicensureLicensure MandatoryMandatory Jurisdiction ControlJurisdiction Control Protect Public Protect Public

WelfareWelfare ““Minimum” Minimum”

CompetenceCompetence Exam MandatoryExam Mandatory

ASPRS CertificationASPRS Certification

Application/ReferencesApplication/References Peer ReviewPeer Review ExaminationExamination Recertification Every Five YearsRecertification Every Five Years Info at: Info at:

http://www.asprs.org/asprs/membership/certificationhttp://www.asprs.org/asprs/membership/certification

Professional LicensingProfessional LicensingProfessional Land Surveyor-PLSProfessional Land Surveyor-PLS

(Varies From State to State)(Varies From State to State)

Application/ReferencesApplication/References Examination(s)Examination(s) Education and ExperienceEducation and Experience Annual Renewal with Professional Annual Renewal with Professional

Development Credit requirement Development Credit requirement (some states)(some states)

Info at: Info at: Your State’s Professional Regulatory Your State’s Professional Regulatory

BoardBoard

Significant Licensing Significant Licensing IssuesIssues

for Photogrammetristsfor Photogrammetrists

GrandfatheringGrandfathering

Identity of the ProfessionIdentity of the Profession

ExaminationsExaminations

Reciprocity/Comity/Ease of MobilityReciprocity/Comity/Ease of Mobility

Significant Licensing Significant Licensing IssuesIssues

for GIS Professionalsfor GIS Professionals

Breadth of Preamble ParagraphBreadth of Preamble Paragraph--DefinitionsDefinitions

Licensing: Practice vs. Use of ToolsLicensing: Practice vs. Use of Tools--Inclusions and ExclusionsInclusions and Exclusions

Regulatory Interest: High vs. LowRegulatory Interest: High vs. Low

The ASPRS Policy. . .The ASPRS Policy. . .

ASPRS has developed a policy entitled ASPRS has developed a policy entitled “ASPRS“ASPRSPolicy and Procedures concerning Licensure of Policy and Procedures concerning Licensure of Photogrammetrists and GIS Professionals”.Photogrammetrists and GIS Professionals”.

The policy was approved by the ASPRS Board in The policy was approved by the ASPRS Board in September 2002, and is to serve as a guideline for September 2002, and is to serve as a guideline for regional licensing activities. This policy must be read regional licensing activities. This policy must be read and understood prior to representing ASPRS in and understood prior to representing ASPRS in licensing issues. The policy can be obtained from licensing issues. The policy can be obtained from ASPRS Headquarters as well as the PPD-Licensing ASPRS Headquarters as well as the PPD-Licensing Committee web page.Committee web page.

The policy of ASPRS on the issue of licensingThe policy of ASPRS on the issue of licensingof photogrammetrists and GIS professionals,of photogrammetrists and GIS professionals,developed in accordance with goals set forthdeveloped in accordance with goals set forthin the ASPRS Strategic Plan, is stated as follows:in the ASPRS Strategic Plan, is stated as follows:

•ASPRS supports the licensing of photogrammetrists and ASPRS supports the licensing of photogrammetrists and selected GIS professionals*, provided it is accomplished in a selected GIS professionals*, provided it is accomplished in a fair and reasonable manner.**fair and reasonable manner.**

•ASPRS endorses adoption of the NCEES Model Law in any ASPRS endorses adoption of the NCEES Model Law in any jurisdiction where licensing is considered as a requirement for jurisdiction where licensing is considered as a requirement for the practice of photogrammetry and/or GIS.***the practice of photogrammetry and/or GIS.***

*Those practicing in areas defined as “inclusions” in the MOTF reports and *Those practicing in areas defined as “inclusions” in the MOTF reports and NCEES Model LawNCEES Model Law**1997 Multi-Organizational Summit Meeting**1997 Multi-Organizational Summit Meeting***ASPRS Strategic Plan***ASPRS Strategic Plan

Policy Statement:Policy Statement:

Policy Statement continued. . .Policy Statement continued. . .

•ASPRS engages in constructive dialogue with the broader ASPRS engages in constructive dialogue with the broader surveying and mapping community, representing the interests surveying and mapping community, representing the interests of the ASPRS members and promulgating this Policy on of the ASPRS members and promulgating this Policy on issues related to licensing and its jurisdiction-specific issues related to licensing and its jurisdiction-specific implementation.*implementation.*

•ASPRS provides expert advice to state licensing boards ASPRS provides expert advice to state licensing boards related to standards, examinations, and the interpretation of related to standards, examinations, and the interpretation of specific legislative language referring to the practice of specific legislative language referring to the practice of photogrammetry and GIS.**photogrammetry and GIS.**

*1997 Multi-Organizational Summit meeting*1997 Multi-Organizational Summit meeting**1997, 2000 Multi-Organizational Task Force Reports**1997, 2000 Multi-Organizational Task Force Reports

Policy Statement continued. . .Policy Statement continued. . .

•In support of jurisdiction- or NCEES-developed examinations In support of jurisdiction- or NCEES-developed examinations on photogrammetric or GIS practice, ASPRS may release on photogrammetric or GIS practice, ASPRS may release Certification Program examination items in a controlled Certification Program examination items in a controlled manner so as not to compromise the security of the ASPRS manner so as not to compromise the security of the ASPRS Certification examination.*Certification examination.*

•Any representative of ASPRS, including Regions and Any representative of ASPRS, including Regions and Chapters, involved in dialogue with other parties concerning Chapters, involved in dialogue with other parties concerning the jurisdiction-specific implementation of the Model Law or the jurisdiction-specific implementation of the Model Law or derivatives thereof are expected to promote and support derivatives thereof are expected to promote and support ASPRS policy and implementation as set forth herein.**ASPRS policy and implementation as set forth herein.**

*NCEES POLC Annual Reports, ASPRS Certification Committee Meeting *NCEES POLC Annual Reports, ASPRS Certification Committee Meeting MinutesMinutes**Excom and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, ASPRS Bylaws**Excom and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, ASPRS Bylaws

Policy Statement continued. . .Policy Statement continued. . .

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

*Excom and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes*Excom and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Policy Statement continued. . .Policy Statement continued. . .

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

Review chart in next slide. . .Review chart in next slide. . .

President

Executive Director Board of Directors

PPD Director(and Asst.)

PPD Committeeon Licensure

Multi-OrganizationTask Force Representatives (2)

NCEES POLC Representative (1)

National Directors

Region Officers

Chapter Officers

Local Committees on Licensure

Governance Body re: Licensing

Policy

Local & Regional

Representation on Licensing

Matters

Organizational Infrastructure ChartOrganizational Infrastructure Chart

Supporting Documents-Supporting Documents-Model Law. . .Model Law. . .

NCEES Model Law forms the basis for ASPRS NCEES Model Law forms the basis for ASPRS licensure policy. It is advisable to review the model licensure policy. It is advisable to review the model law and its applicability to your region’s or state’s law and its applicability to your region’s or state’s current licensing activity. The Model Law can be current licensing activity. The Model Law can be accessed at NCEES: accessed at NCEES:

http://www.ncees.org/introduction/about_ncees/model_law.pdfhttp://www.ncees.org/introduction/about_ncees/model_law.pdf

Supporting Documents-Supporting Documents-Model Law. . .Model Law. . .

ASPRS application of the Model Law can be ASPRS application of the Model Law can be accessed through the ASPRS web site at:accessed through the ASPRS web site at:

http://www.asprs.org/asprs/news/NCEES_frame.htmlhttp://www.asprs.org/asprs/news/NCEES_frame.html

The Model Law includes a section of inclusions and The Model Law includes a section of inclusions and exclusions which have been developed in order exclusions which have been developed in order to promote an understanding of what activities to promote an understanding of what activities should be included and excluded when licensing should be included and excluded when licensing is consideredis considered..

Supporting Documents-Supporting Documents-Jurisdictional Statutes. . Jurisdictional Statutes. .

..

State codes or licensing regulations must be reviewed State codes or licensing regulations must be reviewed in order to fully understand the current definitions and in order to fully understand the current definitions and requirements associated with land surveying, requirements associated with land surveying, photogrammetry, and GIS (if applicable).photogrammetry, and GIS (if applicable).

Most states that have passed, or are developing Most states that have passed, or are developing licensing laws quickly realize the need for redefining licensing laws quickly realize the need for redefining the terms and making adjustments to their respective the terms and making adjustments to their respective regulations to incorporate photogrammetrists and GIS regulations to incorporate photogrammetrists and GIS professionals within the land surveying umbrella.professionals within the land surveying umbrella.

Supporting OrganizationsSupporting Organizations

There are numerous organizations that must be There are numerous organizations that must be considered as partners when approaching the considered as partners when approaching the licensing issue. These organizations will differ from licensing issue. These organizations will differ from state to state, but will typically include the following:state to state, but will typically include the following:

• Private and public photogrammetry groupsPrivate and public photogrammetry groups• Surveyors associationsSurveyors associations• GIS groupsGIS groups• Local and state government professionalsLocal and state government professionals• Professors and other academia representativesProfessors and other academia representatives• Regulatory Board and the Board’s survey sectionRegulatory Board and the Board’s survey section

Supporting OrganizationsSupporting OrganizationsIt is imperative that all groups and organizations that It is imperative that all groups and organizations that may in some way be affected by any licensing may in some way be affected by any licensing regulation be fully maintained “in the loop” of any and regulation be fully maintained “in the loop” of any and all discussions regarding licensing in order to build all discussions regarding licensing in order to build consensus among all affected groups.consensus among all affected groups.

Failure to include one or more of these organizations Failure to include one or more of these organizations could result in delay or defeat of any legislative or could result in delay or defeat of any legislative or regulatory action to implement licensing.regulatory action to implement licensing.

Consensus building is not a quick and easy process, Consensus building is not a quick and easy process, but is a very necessary one. Be prepared to devote a but is a very necessary one. Be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to the licensing effort.significant amount of time to the licensing effort.

Supporting OrganizationsSupporting OrganizationsThe ASPRS Professional Practice Division has formed The ASPRS Professional Practice Division has formed the “Licensure Committee” which will serve as the the “Licensure Committee” which will serve as the clearinghouse for information.clearinghouse for information.

The Licensure Committee is to be kept informed of The Licensure Committee is to be kept informed of licensing activity in each state. The responsibility of licensing activity in each state. The responsibility of communicating the information to the Licensure communicating the information to the Licensure Committee rests with each respective region’s National Committee rests with each respective region’s National Director or other designee.Director or other designee.

Likewise, the Licensure Committee is responsible for Likewise, the Licensure Committee is responsible for responding to information requests from the regions responding to information requests from the regions and other interested parties.and other interested parties.

ASPRS SupportASPRS SupportThe following individuals are involved with licensing The following individuals are involved with licensing issues nationwide, regionally, and state to state.issues nationwide, regionally, and state to state.They are available to assist and clarify licensing issues They are available to assist and clarify licensing issues as they arise. Please use them as a resource to insure as they arise. Please use them as a resource to insure consistent application of the ASPRS policies and consistent application of the ASPRS policies and NCEES Model Law.NCEES Model Law.

Jim Plasker – Executive DirectorJim Plasker – Executive DirectorJohn Simmers – PPD DirectorJohn Simmers – PPD Director

Doug Fuller – Licensure CommitteeDoug Fuller – Licensure Committee

(Contact Information is available on the last slide)(Contact Information is available on the last slide)

For More Information:Contact your regional ASPRS officers

OR

www.asprs.orgjplasker@asprs.org / Ph: 301-493-0290 X-102

John.Simmers@VirginiaDOT.org / Ph: 804-786-2571

dfuller@aerometric.com / Ph: 920-457-3631