For GIS students, recent graduates, and entry-level geospatial technology professionals, building credibility early is key.
Many people in the GIS industry have heard of the Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) certification—a designation awarded to qualified individuals who have at least four years of professional experience, meet the portfolio review requirements, and pass the GIS Certification Institute’s (GISCI’s) core technical exam. But what about early-career professionals who aren’t ready for the full credential yet?
This is where GISCI’s new PreGISP program comes in. Known as the Emerging GIS Professional (GISP-E) certification, it is designed for GIS professionals at the beginning of their careers to show their budding dedication to the field and to ongoing professional development.
How to Become a GISP-E
GISCI launched the PreGISP program as a pathway for emerging GIS professionals to start preparing for the GISP credential. The GISP-E is a short-term credential that serves as a precursor to the GISP and can only be earned once. It expires after three years and cannot be renewed.
Becoming a GISP-E requires two steps:
- Pass the PreGISP exam, an early-career version of the GISP exam that draws on learning outcomes from hundreds of geographic information science and technology (GIS&T) courses and provides a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s educational experience.
- Agree to abide by the Geospatial Code of Ethics to enhance public trust in the discipline.
The GISP-E certification is ideal for undergraduate and graduate GIS students, recent graduates preparing to enter the job market, career changers entering the geospatial field for the first time, and early-career professionals planning long-term growth. Candidates who earn the credential may put GISP-E after their names in their email signatures, on business cards, and in their social media profiles to signify their accomplishment as an emerging GIS professional.
The Advantages of an Early-Career Certification
The PreGISP exam covers key areas such as geospatial data concepts, cartographic and visualization techniques, analysis methods, data management and modeling, and remote sensing. Taking the exam gives candidates a diagnostic view of their own strengths—and areas they may want to focus on to gain more practical experience.
Earning the GISP-E certification gives candidates a good understanding of what’s expected when pursuing the full GISP. It helps candidates identify what work to begin tracking, which types of training courses to pursue, and where to volunteer. It also helps them identify gaps in their experience that they can address early. Essentially, it acts as a road map for career growth in the GIS profession.
Becoming a GISP-E demonstrates initiative, self-awareness, and a commitment to professionalism. It shows potential employers that a candidate is not only technically capable but also thinking strategically about their long-term role in the field. In interviews, the GISP-E designation also gives job applicants a clear edge when discussing GIS concepts, ethics, and industry standards because they have a certification to back up their views.
How to Sign Up and Prepare for the Exam
It can be overwhelming for early-career professionals to determine where they stand. The PreGISP program helps students and recent graduates build confidence and take ownership of their GIS learning journeys.
To register for the PreGISP exam, go to the sign-up page. Exams are offered in alignment with US university semesters in late April and November. The PreGISP exam is proctored online through Pearson VUE testing services. While there is a small exam fee, no portfolio or other eligibility requirements are needed to earn the certification.
For a well-rounded study experience, explore the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science’s GIS&T Body of Knowledge, and find relevant training courses from Esri Academy.
Invest in the Future Now
The GISP-E certification isn’t a practice test—it’s a career development milestone. For students and new professionals, it bridges the gap between academic learning and professional certification. It also helps emerging professionals think like a GISP before they officially become one.
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