GIS Certification - anyone familiar with it?

[MacheteJames]

I was at a meeting of our county-wide GIS users group today and someone mentioned this:

http://www.gisci.org/

It's the GIS Certification Institute. Supposedly, it's possible now to get a certificate in GIS. There is no test - one must apply with the Institute and submit evidence of educational and professional achievements in order to be eligible for the certification. That's all I know about it. Although I'm a planner rather than a GIS specialist, I use it constantly here at work and wonder if this is something worth pursuing and if the certification really means anything. Thoughts?

[Chet]

GISCI is new to me. GISP seems to be the industry norm though.

[JimPlans]

At my last firm most of the GIS staff went after GISP certification. I've also done a lot of GIS work, but the certification seems oriented towards those who have performed projects in school that can be vouched for by a professor, and to those who have attended GIS conferences and can demonstrate that their day-to-day work is GIS related. They want a lot of documentation as proof, too. The general consensus was that a GISP was difficult enough to get to have meaning (at least as much meaning as an AICP).

[K3wilson]

You can also get a GIS certificate through Penn State's World Campus. All online courses I believe. Penn State has one of the best Geogrpahy/GIS departments in the US. Ok, I confess, I am a Penn State Geog Alum...I have a bias.