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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=normal><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Below is a press release from the GISCI about the development of an exam for the GISP certification. This is something I am asked about all the time so I am forwarding this information.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class=normal><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Des Plaines, IL (July 12, 2013)</span></strong><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>GISCI’s exam is on its way!</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>GISCI is thrilled to announce that it has started development of the exam component of its GIS Professional Certification Program with the approval of the Exam Development Work Plan. The Work Plan is the last phase to be completed before starting the intensive work necessary to design the exam, content, and materials. This phase will carry the organization through a pilot exam and into establishing the test delivery and initial operations. Key elements of the exam development process include exam design, exam content writing, standard setting, a pilot exam, and resource development.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>GISCI will soon be reaching out for more than 300 GISPs and volunteers, as subject matter experts (SMEs) or select advisors. Those selected will directly contribute in many structured exercises during the exam development process, and GISCI will be announcing opportunities for participation in the coming weeks. </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>As scheduled, the exam will be in place and offered for the first time in 2015. In the meantime, <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>t</span>he certification process will continue with the current, peer-reviewed portfolio process. Once the exam is established, it will be added as a component of the GISP certification program. <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>About GISCI</span></strong></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization, established in 2004, to manage and operate the premier professional certification program for the GIS Profession and to promote ethical conduct among GISPs. GISCI offers participants from the first years on the job until retirement, a positive method of developing value for professionals and employers in the GIS profession. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>GISCI has certified over 5,400 GISPs, worldwide</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Its member organizations include the Association of American Geographers (AAG), Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), and Geographic Land and Information Society (GLIS).</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=normal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The organization is now developing an exam component for the GISP Certification, to be implemented in early 2015</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP</span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>| Chief Executive Officer</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><br></span><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#244061'><a href="http://www.egisassociates.com/"><span style='color:#244061;text-decoration:none'>eGIS Associates, Inc.</span></a></span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:tcorbin@egisassociates.com"><span style='color:blue'>tcorbin@egisassociates.com</span></a> | <a href="www.egisassociates.com"><span style='color:blue'>www.egisassociates.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>678-710-9710 ext 21 | 866-</span><span lang=EN style='color:#244061'>304-3864 Fax</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Esri Certified Trainer | Esri Certified Desktop Associate</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>