i

GEOINT Professional Certification 

Program Handbook 

December 8

th, 2022

Aeronautical Analysis Human Geography

Applied Sciences Imagery Analysis

Cartography Imagery Science

GEOINT Collection Maritime Analysis

Geospatial Analysis Geospatial Data

 Management

GPC Fundamentals

https://www.nga.mil

Select Resources – Technical Resources - GPC

Approved for public release, NGA-U-2022-02505
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This page intentionally left blank.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Program Overview

How to use this Handbook...........................................................1

Purpose and Value of Certification.............................................1

Scope.................................................................................................2

Governance.....................................................................................2

GPC Credentials..............................................................................2

Preparing for an Assessment

Earning a GPC Credential..............................................................3

Credential Life Cycle................................................................... 4

Eligibility Requirements................................................................5

GPC Framework...........................................................................7

Sample Questions...........................................................................8

Assessment Locations and Registration..................................10

Reasonable Accommodations...................................................10

Taking the Assessment

Assessment Specifications..........................................................12

Security and Confidentiality.......................................................13

Potential Conflict of Interest......................................................14

Scoring, Results, and Retesting .................................................14

Conferral Authority......................................................................15

Non-Discrimination and Fairness..............................................15

Records Management.................................................................15

Credential Maintenance 

Using GPC Credentials.............................................................16

Maintaining GPC Credentials..................................................17

Professional Development Units............................................17

Certification Management System........................................20

Waivers and Appeals...................................................................21

Expiration and Revocation..........................................................21

Disciplinary Procedures...............................................................22

Appendixes

A.......Terms and Conditions Agreement..................................23

B.......Non-Disclosure Agreement..............................................24

C.......Conflict of Interest Agreement........................................25

D......Waivers..................................................................................26

E.......Appeals..................................................................................27

F.......Records Retention and Disclosure..................................29

G......Maintenance Audit Procedures.......................................30

H......Competencies and Topic Areas of Expertise.................31

I.......Eligibility Requirements Rationale....................................37

J.......Professional Qualification Standards..............................45

K......Assessment Sites..............................................................46

L......Glossary..............................................................................47
1 GPC PROGRAM OVERVIEW

GPC Credentials:

• Measure an individual’s understanding and ability to apply the facts, concepts, and 

principles deemed critical to working within the GEOINT enterprise

• Identify competent professionals in a discipline 

• Increase employment opportunities across organizations

• Promote synchronization and alignment of individual capabilities with specific 

organizations across the National System for Geospatial Intelligence

• Assist employers in determining an individual’s understanding of the knowledge 

and skills deemed critical to the successful execution of GEOINT mission functions

HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK

The GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) ProgramHandbook provides geospatial intelligence professionals 

with information on the objectives, requirements, and benefits of the GEOINT certifications established for 

each National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG) defined tradecraft area. These certifications promote 

interoperability across the GEOINT community and enable GEOINT practitioners to demonstrate proficiency 

in the competencies that are common to their specific geospatial intelligence discipline. The National

Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) managesthe GPC program for the benefit of all GEOINT practitioners

under the authority of the Defense GEOINT Manager. The Program Handbook also contains certification 

policies and procedures, describes the specific eligibility requirements for each GEOINT certification, and 

describes the steps to earn and maintain GPC credentials.

PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION

The GPC program was developed in support of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security 

(USD(I&S)) and Director of National Intelligence initiativestofurtherprofessionalizetheNSGworkforce. Each

of the GEOINT Professional Certifications are based upon a community defined set of competencies associated 

with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully execute the GEOINT mission. Earning a GPC credential 

demonstrates your proficiency in the content areas in the essential body of knowledge for that certification 

and indicates your ability to support the associated GEOINT work role. The GPC program conducts certification 

activities in accordance with DoD Manual 3305.10 and in compliance with the standards of the National 

Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting body of the Institute of Credentialing Excellence 

(ICE).

VALUE OF GPC CERTIFICATION

The certification program facilitates the advancement of professional development and training standards,

promotes better synchronization and alignment of individual capabilities within the NSG through portable

credentials, and further professionalizes the workforce. Earning a GPC certification demonstrates that a 

geospatial intelligence practitioner has demonstrated knowledge of the facts, concepts, and principles deemed 

critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission functions. 
2

SCOPE

GEOINT certifications are available to all geospatial 

intelligence practitioners worldwide who have (1) 

gained at least one year of GEOINT-related 

experience while working in a Department of 

Defense (DoD) work role, (2) are actively 

performing GEOINT-related work within the 

National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG), 

and (3) hold an active U.S. Government security 

clearance (or active Commonwealth Partner 

equivalent) commensurate with the assessment 

classification.

GOVERNANCE

The GPC Program Governance Council, hereafter

known as the Governance Council, is an NSG body 

that directly supports the GEOINT Functional 

Manager in the development, implementation,

execution, maintenance, and sustainment of the

GPC Program. The Governance Councilrepresents

the interestsof all partiesthat have a stake in GPC 

program design,management, and maintenance.

The Governance Council serves as the decisionmaking body for certification policy coordination,

certification program schema, and essential 

certification activities. The Council includes

Component Representatives for the Army, Navy, 

Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, DIA, NGA,

and Certified Population Representatives for each 

of the GEOINT Basic Doctrine Publication 1.0

defined Tradecrafts. The Governance Council also 

serves as the Appeals Board (see appeals section)

and provides strategic direction to the GPC 

Program Management Office, hereafter referred

to as the Program Management Office or PMO.

The PMO provides administrative support to the 

Council, codifies GPC policies, processes, and 

procedures, supports the strategic and technical 

elements of each certification program, and 

manages external accreditation and operational

requirements of the NSG GPC Program.

GPC CREDENTIALS

GPC credentials are categorized as either 

Proficiency Level-I (Fundamental) or Proficiency 

Level-II (GEOINT discipline/tradecraft area/work 

role specific) certifications. Both PL-I and PL-II 

exams enable candidates to demonstrate their 

mastery of the facts, concepts, and principles 

deemed critical to the successful execution of 

GEOINT mission functions. 

The GPC Program enables eligible GEOINT 

practitioners to earn credentials in the NSGdefined tradecraft areaslisted below. The purpose 

and competencies of each credential is delineated 

in Appendix H. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) 

Basic Doctrine, Publication 1.0, April 2018 provides 

a crosswalk of the tradecraft areas with their 

associated military and government civilian 

designations.

Proficiency Level I 

 

 

Proficiency Level II 

Applied Sciences (AS-II)

Aeronautical Analysis (AA-II)

Cartography (CA-II)

GEOINT Collection (GC-II)

Geospatial Analysis (GA-II)

Geospatial Data Management (GDM-II)

Human Geography (HG-II)

Imagery Analysis (IA-II)

Imagery Science (IS-II)

Maritime Analysis (MA-II) 

Fundamentals (GPC-F)

GPC PROGRAM OVERVIEW
3

EARNING A GPC CREDENTIAL

GEOINT practitioners must complete the following steps to earn and maintain GPC credentials which

demonstrate their mastery of the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical to the successful execution of 

GEOINT mission functions. The lifecycle of a GPC credential is illustrated in Table 1 below.

Step 1: Meet the general and exam-specific eligibility requirements(listed in the Eligibility 

Requirements section below) for the credential you would like to earn. The Proficiency 

Level-I, GPC Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential must be earned prior to participating in any 

Proficiency Level-II exam. Candidates mustnot participate in an exam for a credential they 

currently hold or participate in a PL-II exam prior to earning the GPC-F credential.

Step 2: Register for anassessment. Before signing up for a GPC assessment, please ensure 

you meet the eligibility requirements (listed on page 5) for the assessment you wish to take. 

The process for registering for an assessment depends on your location. Employees at NGA 

locations are required to schedule exams through the GPC site https://osis.nga.mil/gpc

(USG Common Access Card/Certificate required). Candidates selected for testing will be 

provided detailed reporting instructions prior to their assessment session via email. 

Practitioners at other locations may register for a GPC assessment through their local site 

manager or by contacting the GPC PMO at gpcprogramoffice@nga.mil. Assessment 

locations are listed in Appendix K.

Step 3: Pass the exam. Within 30 days of the date the GPC PMO receives your answer 

sheet, the GPC PMO will contact you at the unclassified email address you provided during 

your assessment session with instructions to log into the Credentialing Management System 

(CMS) to view your exam results. 

Step 4: Receive your credential. After receiving authority from USD(I&S) to confer 

credentials to individuals that have passed a GPC assessment and met all other eligibility 

requirements, the GPC PMO will upload your digital certificate to CMS and forward your 

GPC lapel pin to your Component or Tradecraft Office Representative. You should expect 

to be awarded your credential within 3-4months of passing the exam.

Information on how to maintain GPC credentials is available on the World Wide Web at 

https://www.nga.mil/resources/GEOINT_Professional_Certification.html. A list of certified individuals is 

available on the CAC enabled SBUNet at https://geointcertification.nga.mil/ and on NGANet/JWICS at

http://gpc.nga.ic.gov. Certificants without access to GPC websites may contact the GPC PMO at 

gpcprogramoffice@nga.mil or visit the CMS website at www.geointcertification.net for verification of their

credential status. GPC-F credentials are valid for the three-year period following conferral and can be 

maintained indefinitely by documenting creditable Professional Development Units(PDUs) in the CMSprior to 

the end of your maintenance period. All other credentials an individual may earn are automatically aligned to 

their GPC-F credential maintenance period and will be renewed upon the successful renewal of their GPC-F 

credential. Only 100 PDUs are required every three years to renew all GPC credentials a certificant may hold. A 

list of creditable maintenance activities is available in the CMS and in the PDU Matrix (Table 2).

GPC PROGRAM OVERVIEW
4

CREDENTIAL LIFE CYCLE

START HERE 

Meet GPC eligibility requirements 

• Meet both the general and exam 

specific requirements (listed below)

• Candidates must earn the GPC-F 

credential prior to participating in 

any PL-II assessment. 

Register and take the exam 

Visit https://osis.nga.mil/gpc or 

contact your local site manager

 

Access the Credentialing 

Management System (CMS) 

Log into your account to view your 

assessment results

USD(I&S) 

confers the 

credential 

Begin the 3-year credential 

maintenance period 

• Throughout the 3-year period, 

record a minimum of 100 PDUs 

in the CMS

• A total of 100 PDUs are 

required to maintain all of your 

credentials 

PMO verifies PDU Log 

and updates CMS to 

renew all credentials 

for another 3-year 

maintenance period 

Register and 

take other 

GPC exams at 

any time 

 

Submit your PDU log 

• At the end of the 3-year 

maintenance period, submit 

your PDU log on the CMS to 

renew your credential. 

• PL-II credentials are aligned to 

your 3 year GPC-F maintenance 

cycle and renew concurrently
5

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

GEOINT certifications are available to all geospatial intelligence practitioners worldwide. The eligibility 

requirementsto participate each assessment are listed in the tables below. 

Prior to registering for a GPC assessment, applicants must meet the both the general and the assessment specific

requirements for the particular credential they are pursuing. Candidates are required to attest to meeting those 

requirements prior to gaining access to the assessment materials. GPC credentials will only be awarded to 

candidates whomeet all eligibility requirements and pass the associated GPC assessment. All Proficiency Level 

II (PL-II) certifications include the GPC-F (PL-I) credential as an eligibility requirement. Please see Appendix I for 

the rationale associated with the eligibility requirements of each GPC credential.

GPC eligibility requirements are established by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from across the National System 

for Geospatial Intelligence during the development of each certification and help to differentiate GEOINT 

professionals that are expected to have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage the full 

spectrum of the practitioner’s capabilities from inexperienced candidates who have not yet demonstrated 

competence in their specific work role/tradecraft area.

Military services, components, agencies, and other employers may establish additional requirements in order 

to participate in GPC assessments and should communicate those requirements through organizational policy 

and directives. These requirements fall outside the scope of GPC eligibility requirements and will not be 

considered for the award of GPC credentials. 

Program Reviews are completed by the GPC PMO and enterprise SMEs as required to maintain alignment of 

GPC eligibility requirements with GEOINT workforce needs and to ensure the currency and reliability of each 

certification assessment. DoD Component Heads are required by DoDM 3305.10 to provide Subject Matter 

Experts in support of GPC Program Reviews.

General requirements – Must be met for all GPC certifications

All GPC 

Certifications

Be actively serving in a GEOINT-related work role within the National System for 

Geospatial Intelligence (NSG)

Gained at least one year of GEOINT-related experience while working in a 

Department of Defense (DoD) work role

Hold an active U.S. Government or Commonwealth Partner equivalent security 

clearance commensurate with the assessment classification

Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
6

Exam specific requirements – Must be met for the particular credential desired

Fundamentals

(GPC-F)

• Have at least one year’s experienceworking in a Department of Defense (DoD) 

GEOINT agency or with GEOINT activities in a DoD component 

Aeronautical 

Analysis

(AA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential 

• Have three or more total years of GEOINT aeronautical analytic experience

• Successfully meet tradecraft entrance requirements to satisfy full performance 

Aeronautical Analysis work role requirements through relevant academic 

diploma/degree/certificate and/or previous professional experience

Applied Sciences

(AS-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential

• Have two or more total years of GEOINT Applied Sciences experience

Cartography

(CA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential 

• Have three or more yearsof experience as a GEOINT analyst or hold a valid GPC 

PL-II credential

GEOINT Collection

(GC-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certifications Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential

• Meet one of the following experience criteria: (1) have twoor more years of 

GEOINT collection experience, or (2) have five or more years of GEOINT 

experience and successfully complete GEOINT Requirements Research 

(GCRM2200) and GEOINT Requirements Management (GCRM2202)

Geospatial 

Analysis

(GA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential

• Successfully complete the tradecraft specific Professional Qualification Standards 

(PQS) as indicated in the NSG PQS Handbook for Geospatial Analysis

Geospatial Data 

Management

(GDM-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification-Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential 

• Have two or more total years of GEOINT GDM experience or five or more years of 

GEOINT experience

Human 

Geography

(HG-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamental (GPC-F) credential 

• Have twoor more years of HG GEOINT experience OR possess four or more total 

years of GEOINT Analyst work role experience 

Imagery Analysis

(IA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification-Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential

• Successfully complete the tradecraft specific Professional Qualification Standards 

(PQS) as indicated in the NSG PQS Handbook for Imagery Analysis

Imagery Science

(IS-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamental (GPC-F) credential

• Possess three or more total years of Imagery Science work role experience 

• Successfully complete the specific work role Professional Qualification Standards 

(PQS) as indicated in the NSG PQS Handbook for Imagery Science

Maritime Analysis

(MA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamental (GPC-F) credential

• Have a total of two or more years GEOINT Maritime Analysis experience or have 

five or more years of GEOINT experience. 

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
7

GPC FRAMEWORK

The credentialing programs that compose GEOINT Professional Certification are designed to support the field of 

GEOINT organizations and professionals in accordance with GEOINT Basic Doctrine (Publication 1.0) and 

Geospatial Intelligence in Joint Operations (Joint Publication 2-03) defining GEOINT procedures within the 

Department of Defense with linkage to the broad Global GEOINT Enterprise. The GPC Program framework is a 

tiered model with certifications at proficiency levels commonly used across the Enterprise. GPC-F is the 

Basic/Developmental proficiency level (PL-I) certification for all practitioners within the field. Full Performance 

proficiency level (PL-II) certifications are available for practitioners in GEOINT tradecraft/occupational specialty 

areas. A candidate must maintain anactive GPC-F credential to be eligible to participate in a PL-II exam.

GPC assessments measure an applicant’s breadth of geospatial intelligence discipline/tradecraft-specific 

knowledge. Familiarity with the core body of knowledge associated with the work role of a GEOINT professional 

is essential to leveraging the full spectrum of the practitioner’s capabilities. Prior to participating in a GPC 

assessment, candidates should refer to appendix H to review the competencies (areas of expertise) and exam 

weights that are associated with the credential they intend to earn. 

Joint Publication 2-03 defines geospatial intelligence or GEOINT as “the exploitation and analysis of imagery 

and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically 

referenced activities on the Earth. Geospatial intelligence consists of imagery, imagery intelligence, and 

geospatial information.” Considering the classified and proprietary nature of many of the sensors and systems 

used to derive this information, portions of GPC body of knowledge and the related resources are classified by 

the NSG Geospatial Intelligence Security Classification Guide and can only be published on secure networks that 

meet or exceed the classification level of the content. In order to assist candidates in their preparation for 

GEOINT certification exams and provide other information that will broaden the candidate’s knowledge in the 

assessment topic areasof expertise, GPC references are availableon the following networks:

Classification 

of references

Network

/ 

Domain

Resource Link

Credentials 

required for 

access

TOP SECRET 

and below

JWICS

NGANet

http://gpc.nga.ic.gov USG Clearance

and PKI

UNCLASSIFIED

World 

Wide 

Web

https://www.nga.mil/resources/

GEOINT_Professional_Certification.html

World Wide Web 

connection

The GPC program is training-agnostic and does not design, build, deliver, or accredit any educational programs, 

training programs, or courses of study leading to certification. The GPC program does not require candidates to 

participate in any specific course or group of courses, does not require membership in any association, and does 

not require the purchase of any product or service.

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
8

SAMPLE QUESTIONS 

GPC assessments include Multiple Choice, True/False, Matching, and Fill-in-the-Blank questions. The following 

questions are representative of those a candidate may see on a GPC assessment:

Sample One 

 

(U) What GEOINT product type includes geospatial data-derived products such as maps, charts, imagery and 

digital raster or vector information?

A. Standard

B. Specialized

C. Aeronautical

D. 3D fly-through

 

 

 

Sample Two 

 

(U) [FILL IN THE BLANK]: A 1:250,000 scale chart is typically used to compile a(n) _________library.

 

A. Harbor

B. Approach

C. Coastal

D. General

E. All of the above

 

 

 

Sample Three 

 

(U) [TRUE or FALSE]: The accuracy of censuses from different countries may vary based upon data collection 

standards, scale of collection, level of governance, and timeframe.

 

A. True

B. False

 

 

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
9

Sample Four 

 

(U) [MATCHING DIRECTIONS]: For the table below containing GEOINT terminology, use the Definition in 

Column II that BEST matches the Term in Column I. Mark all answers on your answer sheet. Only use each 

Definition ONCE.

 (U) GEOINT Terminology

 (U) Column I (U) Column II

 Term Definition

Sample Five 

 

(U) [FILL IN THE BLANKS FROM THE SELECTIONS BELOW]: Applied Scientists should present their Geographic 

Information System (GIS) solutions

 

A. using calibration sensitive analysis

B. as ranges or rankings

C. with surrogate data analysis

D. with statistical confidence intervals

E. Answers B and D only

1. ___ (U) National System for Geospatial 

Intelligence (NSG)

2. ___ (U) Departmental Requirements 

Officer (DRO)

3. ___ (U) Intelligence Community (IC)

4. ___ (U) NGA Source (NGA/S)

A. Qualified to select the appropriate collection discipline(s) and 

submit collection requirements on behalf of the imagery and 

geospatial analysts (IAs and GAs).

B. A federation of executive branch agencies and organizations 

that work separately and together to conduct intelligence.

C. The functional manager for imagery at the national level and 

provides timely, relevant and accurate GEOINT.

D. Executes the nation’s end-to-end space-based, airborne, and 

commercial imagery requirements for geospatial intelligence in 

support of national decision makers, warfighters, civil agencies, 

and allies.

E. The combination of technology, policies, capabilities, 

doctrine, activities, people, data, and communities necessary to 

produce geospatial intelligence in an integrated multiintelligence, multi-domain environment. 

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
10

GPC assessments are offered free of 

charge to all eligible candidates.

Individuals are not permitted to sit for 

an exam for which they hold a current 

credential.

Register for your assessment as early as 

possible so that your preferred time and 

location will be available.

On the day of your assessment, be sure 

to bring your government issued photo 

identification to the testing center. 

ASSESSMENT LOCATIONS

GPC assessments are offered free of charge to 

eligible candidates in test centers located near 

concentrations of GEOINT professionals both in the 

US and abroad. Please refer to appendix K or visit 

the GPC websites listed on page 6 for specific test 

center locations.

REGISTERING FOR AN ASSESSMENT

Applicants withaccessto the GPC PMO website on 

SBU may view the locations, dates, and times of all

assessments offered during the next 90-days and

may self-registerfor any assessment for whichthey

are eligible and do not hold a current credential. 

Applicants without access to the website may

registerthrough their GPC Service Representative,

Unit Training Manager, or organizational GPC 

Assessment Coordinator. Contact information for

these representatives and additional scheduling 

information is published on the Registration page of 

the GPC website. Information onaccommodations

is also provided on the GPC website and is included

in the Reasonable Accommodationssection below.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Components and agencies delivering GPC 

assessments will consider providing reasonable 

accommodations throughout the assessment 

process that are compliant with applicable 

jurisdictional laws and regulations including the 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation 

Act, and DoD Policy. Prior to scheduling an 

assessment, eligible applicants seeking an 

accommodation should contact their 

local/designated Accommodation/ Equal 

Employment Opportunity (EEO) office for more 

information on their appropriate local request 

process, including the length of time it may take to 

process their request. 

To facilitate timely fulfillment of accommodation 

requests, it is incumbent upon the candidate to 

submit a request for special accommodation within 

the time frame required by their local/designated EEO 

office. For NGA employees, the Office of Diversity 

Management and Equal Employment Opportunity 

(ODE) manages the reasonable accommodation 

program and states that the Agency has up to 15 

working days from the date all documentation is 

received (absent extenuating circumstances) to grant 

or deny accommodation requests.

Agencies and components will make reasonable

efforts to accommodate a candidate’s request,

including offering an alternative means of accessto

take the GPC Assessment. If an agency or component

EEO office determinesthat it would impose an undue

burden on the DoD component to provide the

required testing environment, and the candidate’s

sponsoring component cannot provide the necessary

accommodation,the candidatewill be notified with a

written explanation of the denial and a statement of

the reasonsfor the denial. Denied accommodations

can be grieved to the appropriate EEO Office.

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
11

ASSESSMENT DEVELOPMENT

Tradecraft and certification Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) develop GPC assessments. The development team 

refers to the current Job Task Analysis (JTA) and available legacy documentation to identify the competencies, 

knowledges, skills, and abilities (KSAs) critical to the GEOINT tradecraft or specialty area. A draft Essential Body 

of Knowledge (EBK) is generated and certification objectives are developed based on the relevant KSAs. SMEs 

then validate the EBK and draft an assessment blueprint which includes the weights given to the various 

competencies listed on the EBK and thereby determine how many assessment items/questions to include on the 

assessment to address each competency. GPC assessments are then generated by qualified Subject Matter 

Experts by using the approved EBK. Each test item on the assessment undergoes a technical review by at least 

three SMEs, in addition to the item writer, to ensure correctness, appropriateness of content and distractors, 

phrasing, clarity, and relevance.

PREPARING FOR AN ASSESSMENT

The GPC PMO is an independent organization that operates as a third party and is firewalled from participating 

in the design, development, or implementation of education, training, and similar content-focused programs. 

Candidates are advised that the GPC PMO does not offer courses or materials to prepare exam candidates, and 

does not accredit educational/training programs or courses of study leading to eligibility or certification. 

Candidates are encouraged to refer to the Essential Body of Knowledge for the assessment associated with the 

credential they would like to earn (see Appendix H).

TAKING THE ASSESSMENT

On the scheduled test date, registered candidates should arrive at the test site at least 15 minutes prior to the 

planned assessment start time. Candidates must bring valid USG issued photo identification and sign the test 

site roster upon entry into the assessment area. Candidates that do not have appropriate identification will not 

be permitted to participate in the assessment. GPC testing may be delayed or canceled if there is inclement 

weather in the vicinity of your test site on the scheduled test date. Please confirm the status with the test site 

administrator prior to arrival at the affected testing location.

PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
12

ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATIONS

All GPC exams are paper based and consist of Multiple-Choice, True-False, Matching, and Fill-in-the-Blank

questions. The exams are presented in English and are not translated or adapted for different languages or 

cultures. There are no subjectively scored items on GPC assessments and candidates’ scores are not affected by 

rater judgments. GPC Proctors provide all assessment materials (assessment booklets, answer sheets, pencils, 

comment sheets, and scratch paper) immediately prior to administering the exams. The number of questions 

and time limits for each assessment are listed below. Prior to participating in a GPC assessment, candidates 

should refer to Appendix H to review the competencies (areas of expertise) and exam weights that are associated 

with the credential they intend to earn.

GEOINT Professional Certification

Number 

of 

questions

Time limit Classification

Fundamentals (GPC-F) 150 3 hours U//FOUO

Aeronautical Analysis (AA-II) 110 2 hours and 30 minutes U//FOUO

Applied Sciences(AS-II) 105 2 hours and 15 minutes UNCLASSIFIED

Cartography (CA-II) 120 2 hours and 30 minutes U//FOUO

GEOINT Collection (GC-II) 100 2 hours S//TK//NOFORN

Geospatial Analysis (GA-II) 100 2 hours U//FOUO

Geospatial Data Management (GDM-II) 120 2 hours and 30 minutes U//FOUO

Human Geography (HG-II) 120 2 hours and 30 minutes U//FOUO

Imagery Analysis (IA-II) 90 2 hours S//REL TO USA, FVEY

Imagery Science (IS-II) 120 3 hours TS//TK//RSEN//REL TO 

USA, FVEY

Maritime Analysis (MA-II) 120 2 hours and 30 minutes UNCLASSIFIED

TAKING THE ASSESSMENT
13

SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Candidates are provided all assessment materials 

required to support their participation in GPC 

assessments. Candidates are not permitted to bring 

electronic devices (phones, tablets, pagers, etc.) 

into the testing area. To ensure the integrity ofthe

certification process, all questions/items and 

answers generated to support the development of 

any GPC assessment are for official use only and

are not authorized for public release.

GPC assessmentsshall be proctored and conducted 

in appropriate facilities. Proctors are responsible

for ensuring consistent testing environmentsforthe

GPC Program. GPC assessments shall be protected

through industry- and government-accepted

security protocols. The assessment shall not be

accessed, copied, printed, or distributed without

specific written approvalfromthe GPC PMO.

Once determined by the PMO, candidate feedback

(e.g. Pass/Did Not Pass information)is sent directly 

to the candidate at the email address provided by 

the individual on the day of the assessment.

In order to protect the privacy and confidential 

information of applicants, candidates, and

certificants, Personally Identifiable Information 

(PII) and individual-level data including

demographic information and assessment results

will be maintained in the strictest confidence. 

Exceptionsto thisrule include situationswhere data

are needed to comply with mandatory legal

requirements and court orders. In such cases, PII

and individual-level information will not be

disclosed without first obtaining the candidate’s

consent. The written request must state the 

specific data that may be released and specifically

identify any third parties authorized to receive the

data.Data distributedwithGPC studies andreports

will be aggregated andall PII will be redacted.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TheGPC Termsand Conditions Agreement details 

the candidate’s responsibilities to protect the

integrity of GPC assessments and the potential

penalties for failing to comply with the listed

provisions. Participation in the GPC program is 

subject to the terms and conditions listed on the 

GPC Assessment Eligibility Form which candidates 

are required to sign prior to taking a GPC exam. A 

copy of the Terms and Conditions Agreement is 

available at Appendix A for candidates to review 

prior to the exam. Candidates refusing to accept

the GPC termsandconditions are prohibited from 

participation in GPC assessments.

NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

All personnel who assist in the development of 

GPC assessments, work in the GPC PMO, or serve

as a certification board member, Subject Matter

Expert, assessment administrator, or proctor

must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement(NDA) prior

to obtaining access to test control materials. The

NDA specifies the responsibilities of all such 

individuals to protect the integrity of GPC test

materials andthe potential penaltiesforfailure to

comply with these provisions. The PMO maintains

record copies of signed NDAs. See Appendix B for

a copy of theNDA.

UPDATING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

A current unclassified email address is required to 

receive renewal notifications and other important

information regarding the maintenance of your 

credential(s).Please update your unclassified email 

address in the Certification Management System

(CMS) portalwhenever it changes. 

TAKING THE EXAM
14

RETESTING OF FAILING CANDIDATES

There is no limit on the number of 

times a failing candidate can sit for a 

GPC assessment.

Candidates that do not pass a GPC 

assessment must wait 90 days before 

retaking the exam. 

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Governance Council Members, Proctors, Site

Administrators, Subject Matter Experts (Judges, 

Test developers, Standard Setting Panel

Members), Thought Leaders, Tradecraft

Representatives, and others that are involved in

certification decisions and/or assessment 

development, implementation, maintenance, and 

delivery, must sign a GPC Conflict of Interest

Agreement and avoid actual, potential, or

perceived conflictsof interest. The administration

of a test by a candidate’simmediate supervisor,for

example, presents a conflict of interest and is 

prohibited. See Appendix C for more information 

on the managementof conflictsof interest.

SCORING AND REPORTING RESULTS

The passing score for an assessment is approvedby

theGovernance Council. The candidate must earna 

score that is equal to or higher than the passing 

score to be eligible for conferral. A candidate 

receives one point for each question answered 

correctly and zero points for each question

answered incorrectly. Candidates are not 

penalized for guessing. Assessment results are sent

to the email address provided by the candidate on 

the day of the assessment. Published results

indicate if a candidate passed or did not pass and 

do not include rawtestscores.

DETERMINATION OF PASSING SCORES

The Modified Angoff method has a wellestablished history of determining credible passing 

standards for credentialing examinations and is 

used to set the provisional passing score for GPC

assessments. The method involves two basic

elements: conceptualization of a minimally

competent examinee, and the probability, as

assigned by SMEs, that a minimally competent

examineewill answer an itemcorrectly. Minimally

competent examinees are those who possess the

minimum qualification and education to perform

tasks associated with a job. The SME’s predictions

about the minimally competent candidate’s

performance on each test item are averaged and

the resulting passing standard (provisional cut

score) is thereby established. The provisional cut

score is then validated using empirical data

collected during the pilot test phase to establish an

operational cut score for post pilot testing.

RETESTING POLICY

There is no limit on the number of times a failing 

candidate can take a GPC assessment, however, a

candidatewho does not obtain a passing score for

a particular GPC assessment may not take the

same assessment for 90 calendar days.Thiswaiting 

period is applied after each exposure to the

assessment, regardless of whether the

assessment was completed. The 90-day waiting 

period, use of multiple forms, and the periodic 

replacement of assessment questions significantly 

reduce exposure of exam items. Participation in

other GPC assessments for credentials not held by 

the candidate is authorized during the waiting 

period. Candidates may seek a waiver to this

waiting period for proctor-documented

circumstances beyond their control that preclude

the completion of their scheduled assessment. 

See Waiver section for more information.

TAKING THE ASSESSMENT
15

The GPC PMO will respond to 

electronic correspondence from a 

third party that requests 

confirmation of the status of a 

current or former certificant. When 

considered to be in the best interests 

of the USG and the certificant, the 

PMO will specify the certification(s) 

currently held by the individual. If the 

individual does not hold any 

credentials, the PMO may release a 

statement to the third party 

confirming that the individual does 

not appear on the GPC PMO’s list of 

certified individuals. Third Party 

requests should be sent to (JWICS) 

gpcprogramoffice@coe.ic.gov or 

gpcprogramoffice@nga.mil.

CONFERRAL AUTHORITY

Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements 

and received a passing score for a particular GPC 

certification will be recommended to receive a GPC 

credential. Credentials are awarded by the GPC 

PMO after USD(I&S) conferral. In order to

standardize verification methods, decrease bias,

and reduce the risk of inaccuracies in candidate

documentation, the GPC PMO may confirm 

candidate’s compliance with each certification

eligibility requirement by reviewing accessible 

USG databases of record and through verification

by the candidate’s employer or Service

headquarters. The namesof vetted candidateswill 

be submitted to the Governance Council and 

GEOINT Functional Manager for review and 

approval and then forwarded to the USD(I&S) for 

conferral. The GPC program does not grant

reciprocal certifications.

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND FAIRNESS

The GPC Program does not discriminate on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including 

pregnancy or childbirth), religion, age (40 or over), 

disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation,

marital status, parental status, political affiliation, 

genetic information, or retaliate for participating in 

protected activities. The GPC Program complies

with all applicable jurisdictional laws and 

regulations related to protection against 

discrimination in access to GPC assessments. 

Additionally, GPC procedures ensure that

applicants and candidates are treated in an

equitable and consistent manner throughout the

certification process. The eligibility requirements, 

assessment instrument content, assessment

environment, scoring method, and maintenance 

and recertification processes provide for a fair, 

impartial, and bias-free certification program.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

As directed by DoDM 3305.10, the GPC PMO complies 

with NCCA guidance on the collection and retention 

of registration, demographic, and assessment data for 

all applicants, candidates, current certificants, and 

previous certificants. Additionally, the GPC PMO 

complies with record management policies outlined 

in Department of Defense (DoD) Records 

Management Directive 5015.2, DoD Manual 5200.01 

Volume 3, Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 

Chapter XII, National Archives and Records 

Administration Sub B Records Management, and NGA 

Instruction 8040.1R10 Appendix 10 – Records and 

Information Life-Cycle Management series 1002-04. 

See Appendix F for information on the management, 

retention, anddisclosure of GPC records.

TAKING THE EXAM
16

 

USING GPC CREDENTIALS 

GPC certification designations and certification

marks promote the expertise of credentialed 

GEOINT professionals, differentiate certificants

from their peers, and are specifically aligned with 

each earned credential. Only persons who hold 

active GPC credentials are authorized to include 

GPC designations and marks in their email 

signature and on personal letterhead/stationary, 

websites, business cards, and resumes. The 

following GPC designations and marks authorized

for use by certified practitioners:

 D e signation GPC-F

M ark 

AA-II AS-II CA-II

 GA-II GC-II GDM-II

H G-II IA-II IS-II 

M A-II 

The certificant's name must appear on any

materials where the GPC designation or mark is 

used. The GPC designation or mark should not be 

more prominent than the certificant’sname.

The use of GPC designations and marks should be

consistent with the purpose and scope of the GPC

Program and should never be presented in a

misleading or fraudulent manner. TheGPC PMOwill 

recommend the revocation of all GPC credentials

held by an individual for the unauthorized or 

inappropriate use of any GPC designation ormark. 

Certification designations should be printed in all

capital letters without periods following the

certified professional’s name. Separate the name

and individual designationswithcommas.

Certification marks are not required but if used,

should appear at the bottom of a signature block

or in the lower-left or lower-right corner of a 

resume or curriculum vitae. Certification marks

may be downloaded from the GPC websites on 

NGANet/JWICS at http://gpc.geo.nga.ic.gov

or on the World Wide Web at:

https://www.nga.mil/resources/

GEOINT_Professional_Certification.html

Examples of proper use:

Sincerely,

Jane A. Smith, GPC-F

Best regards,

John Doe, MBA, PMP, GPC-F

Respectfully,

Arthur C. Lundahl, PhD, GPC-F, IA-II

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE
17

MAINTAINING GPC CREDENTIALS

The purpose of certification renewal through 

maintenance and recertification is to enhance the 

continued competence of certificants. GPC 

maintenance requirements ensure that certificants 

who demonstrated competence at the time of their 

initial certification continue their professional 

development to maintain specified levels of 

knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to perform 

their occupational roles throughout their careers.

In order to maintain active credentials, GPC

certified individuals must recertify within their

three-year certification maintenance period by

earning 100 or more Professional Development 

Units (PDUs) as described in Table 2 below and 

remain in good standing as defined by their

employing component or agency. A certificant’s 

three-year certification maintenance period 

commences upon the award or renewal date of their 

GPC Fundamentals (GPC-F) certification. The

completion of 100 PDUs during the three-year

certification maintenance period maintains all

current certifications held by the GPC certified

individual. The attainment of a Proficiency Level II 

certification (e.g., IA-II, GA-II, CA-II) has no bearing 

on the three-year maintenance period which is 

always aligned to the date that an individual’s

GPC-F credential was awarded. Based on the

historic rate of change in theGEOINT community, a 

three-year recertification period allows certificants

sufficient time to complete professional

development activities that enable them to keep

pace with changes in the GEOINT technologies,

tools, and processesrelated totheirwork role. The

GPC PMO may recommend that the USD(I&S)

revoke the credential(s) of any GPC certificant who

fails to complete PDU requirements or maintain

good standing during their certification

maintenance period. Loss of the credential(s) will

result in the loss of all rights and responsibilities

associated with holding a GEOINT professional

certification.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS

Certificants accrue Professional Development Units 

(PDUs) throughout their three-year maintenance 

period by successfully completing creditable 

activities within the four approved professional 

development categories: Academic Study, 

Training/Education Activities, Professional 

Activities, and Professional Experience. A list of 

creditable activities is located at Table 2 --- GPC 

Professional Development Units listed below. All 

PDUs earned by an individual apply to all 

certifications held by that individual for the 

duration of their current three-year maintenance 

period. Certificants should access the Certification 

Management System (CMS) described below to 

record the title, description, category, start/end 

date, and the number of PDUs earned for each

developmental action. Certificants are not 

required to upload documents (i.e. course 

completion certificates, transcripts, supervisor 

attestations, etc.) into the CMS to provide evidence 

of their maintenance activities but must maintain 

copies of the documentation until they have 

received notification from the GPC PMO of their 

successful recertification.

AUDITS 

In order to ensure the accuracy of the recertification

process, the GPC PMO will periodically conduct

audits of certificant recordsto verify compliance

with GPC recertification requirements. Certificants 

must maintain evidence of their maintenance

activities (paper copies, digital files, or uploads to 

the CMS) until notified of their successful

recertification. Individual maintenance of records

will helpensure that certificantsreceive appropriate

certification maintenance credit upon transfer,

separation, or retirement from their component or

agency (Appendix G). Certificants are normally 

notified that they are recertified within 60 days of 

the end of their 3-year maintenance cycle.

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE
18

The completion of 100 PDUs during the three-year certification

maintenance period maintains an active certification for all

current credentials held by the GPC certified individual.

TABLE 2 --- GPC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS

Creditable Activities PDUs

Academic Study (successful completion)

Continuing Education

GEOINT-related undergraduate course (semester based) 10 per credit hour

GEOINT-related graduate course (semester based) 15 per credit hour

PostGraduate Program

Military Service Schools(full-time semester based) 10 per week

Military Service Schools(part-time semester based) 5 per week

Professional Development Program 1 per 8 contact hours

Noncredit Educational Activity

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Open Learning Initiative,

or course audit validated by a Certificate of Completion or 

Statement of Accomplishment

1 per credit hour

Training / Education Activity

GEOINT-related Web Based Training (WBT) or organizational

sponsored training (Blackboard, AGILE, CLEON, etc.) 1 per WBT or event notto exceed 12 per year

General National Geospatial-Intelligence College (NGC) or

Agency/Component college/school course 1 per day or 0.5 per half day

GEOINT-related entry level course 2 per day

GEOINT-related intermediate/advanced course 3 per day

Professional Activity

Mentorship (recognized by Component or Agency ) 1 per hour not to exceed 20 per year

GEOINT-related presentation at a symposium, conference,

workshop, event (briefing, lecture, outreach) or seminar

1 per hour of development and/or

presentation not to exceed 25 per year

GEOINT-related attendance at a symposium, conference,

workshop, event (briefing, lecture, outreach) or seminar 1 per day or 0.5 per half day

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE
19

The GPC PMO verifies that Professional Development Unit logs uploaded to the 

CMS include 100 or more creditable PDUs and do not exceed prescribed limits 

for specific activities. Individual audits are completed on a percentage of PDU 

logs to ensure sufficient evidence exists for the claimed maintenance activities.

TABLE 2 --- GPC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS CONTINUED

.

Creditable Activities PDUs

Professional Activity (continued fromprevious page)

GEOINT-related publication

50 for Authoring a Dissertation/Thesis

45 for Authoring a Scholarly Book

25 for Authoring a Book Chapter 

25 for Authoring an Article

25 for Authoring a Book Review 

10 for Editing a Newsletter

 5 for Authoring a Newsletter Article

GEOINT-related software development (apps, widget, etc.) 25 per development not to exceed 50 per year

GEOINT-related course development

1 per 8 hours of development not to

exceed 40 per year

Participation in PMO sponsored/directed certification activity 1 per hour not to exceed 10 per year

GEOINT production and other impactful work activities that 

enhance GEOINT databases, tools, and processes

1 per product or activity not to exceed 25 per

year

GEOINT-related structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Job 

Qualification Requirement (JQR) 1 per hour awarded on completion of OJT/JQR

Attestant for GEOINT Professional Qualification Standards (PQS) 5 per PQS witnessed / completed not

to exceed 25 per year

Professional Experience 

GEOINT-related deployment 2 per week

GEOINT-related professional certification (PL-II or higher) 30 per completion

Other intelligence community certification program 20 per completion

Joint Duty, 24/7, or external assignment outside the certificant’s

KC, Agency, or Component. 1 per week

Experiential travel (mission-related) 5 per week notto exceed 10 per year

GEOINT-related working group directed by a higher command or 

agency; advisory boards; career services 1 per each hour not to exceed 20 per year

GEOINT-related adjunct instructor (accredited institution) 2 per hour of instruction notto exceed 25 per

year

Successful performance in a GEOINT-related position 1 per month

GEOINT-related Joint/Cross Training 5 per day notto exceed 10 per year

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE
20

To maintain your credential(s) beyond your three-year maintenance period, be sure to 

retain copies of documentation of your Professional Development Activities. Although 

this documentation can be uploaded to the CMS, candidates are not required to upload 

this information to the CMS PDU Log and Renewal Application webpage.

CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The GPC Certification Management System is available to all Candidates that have completed a GPC assessment 

and enables certificants to view their assessment results, track their credentials, and document their creditable 

maintenance activities. The CMS also enables candidates to contact the GPC PMO via the “Contact Us” link 

located at the bottom of the CMS “My Account” page. 

Within 30 days of completing an exam, the candidate will receive an email prompting them to visit 

www.geointcertification.netto establish a password and view their exam results. Certificants are also able to view 

their active credentials, determine their certification maintenance period, and record their creditable 

maintenance activities. 

Example of the CMS PDU Log and Renewal Applicationwebpage

In this example, the certificant has logged into www.geointcertification.net and recorded two creditable 

Professional Development activities: (1) a military service school, and (2) three months of successful performance 

in a GEOINT-related position. They have now earned 53 of the 100 PDUs required by the end of their 3-year 

maintenance period to renew their GPC-F credential and any PL-II credentials they may hold. Additional 

Professional Development activities can be documented by clicking on the button.

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE

PDU Log and Renewal Application (12/20/2019 to 12/19/2022)
21

A certificant is considered to be in Good 

Standing when they are 1) compliant with 

the “Good Standing” criteria defined by 

their DoD/NSG Agency or Component and 

are 2) not subject to any form of sanction, 

suspension, or disciplinary censure.

WAIVERS

Under certain circumstances, a candidate may seek

and qualify for a waiver for a GPC certification.

Waivers will be considered for:

Waiver requests should be submitted per the process 

stated in Appendix D.

APPEALS

See Appendix E for information on the GPC appeals 

process and a listing of issues for which a candidate 

may file an appeal.

EXPIRATION AND REVOCATION

GPC credentials will expire and become inactive if

the certificant fails to earn and document the

specified ProfessionalDevelopment Units (PDUs)in 

the CMS within the maintenance period (refer to 

the Maintenance section) or may be revoked for 

unethical/unprofessional behavior (refer to 

Disciplinary Process and Procedures) and/or the

loss of an employee's Good Standing status (as

defined by the certificant’sAgency or Component).

Contracted organizations are expected tonotify the

GPC PMO and the applicable Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR) if the organization becomes

aware that a certificant has lost their good standing 

statusor exhibited behavior considered unethical or 

unprofessional (See Disciplinary Process and 

Procedures).

Other conditions may necessitate the revocation of 

credentials or require certificants to recertify in

one or more topic area(s) of anassessment.

Revocation of an individual’s GPC-F credential 

results in the loss of all GPC credentials held by that 

GEOINT analyst. Individuals whose GPC credentials

have been revoked may sit for the GPC-F exam only 

after all GPC-F eligibility requirements are met. 

Following recertification in GPC-F, the analyst may 

pursue additional GPC credentials in any sequence. 

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE

➢ Mattersof eligibility (i.e., GEOINT

professionals outside of the specified work

roles, and training equivalency)

o The requirementstohold a

lower-level certification (e.g.,

GPC Fundamentals)in orderto

earn a higher-level certification

(e.g., ImageryAnalysisPL-II or

Aeronautical AnalysisPL-II)

cannot be waived.

➢ The CertificationMaintenance and Renewal

process(i.e., earning sufficient PDUs)

➢ Other programelementswhere additional

information may be relevantsuchas:

o Extenuating circumstances

affecting timelines

o Past experience not covered in

this handbook

o Change of assignment that

alters eligibility
22

The Terms and Conditions statement 

that each candidate is required to sign 

prior to participating in a GPC 

assessment states that “you accept the 

responsibility to protect the integrity of 

GPC assessments by not disclosing, 

disseminating, copying, publishing, 

posting, or transmitting any part of an 

assessment in any form without the 

expressed permission of the GEOINT 

Professional Certification Program 

Chief.”

Signed Terms and Conditions 

statements are incorporated into each 

candidate’s file and maintained as GPC 

permanent records.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

GPC candidates and credentialed individuals are

informed that unethical or unprofessional

behavior that compromises the integrity of the

certification program or actions that discredit the 

GPC credential, GPC certification holders, or the 

GEOINT profession will be reviewed by the 

appropriate authorities.

The review may preclude the individual’s 

participation in an examination, invalidate the

result of anexamination, or impose a probationary 

period to temporarily deny the candidate or 

credential holder of participation in the GPC

program.

Additionally, relevant portions of the review may 

be forwarded to the individual’s chain of

command and/or employer who may elect to

investigate the potential violation in accordance

with established organizational, agency, or 

component conduct policies and subsequently 

impose severe penalties, up to and including 

termination of employment. All parties shall

ensure appropriate treatment of sensitive

information and a fair, impartial, and bias-fee

decision making process.

Individuals with knowledge or suspicion of security

breaches, cheating, theft or other threats to the 

security of examination materials are responsible

for reporting such incidents as soon as possible to 

the GPC PMO. Individualsreporting such incidents

will be notified in writing at the onset of a review 

and may be contacted during an investigation for

furtherinformation.

If the review indicates that a violation has 

occurred that warrantsrevocation of a certificant’s

credential, the PMO will forward a revocation

recommendation for review by the Governance

Council. Based on the review of that 

recommendation, the Governance Council and

the GEOINT Functional Manager may refer a 

revocation recommendation to the USD(I&S) for

administrative action.

CREDENTIAL MAINTENANCE
23

APPENDIX A - GPC TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT

 

Your participation intheGEOINT Professional Certification Programissubject to the following terms.

The GEOINT Professional Certification Assessment (including, without limitation, question, answers, datasets,

files, designs, or content in or related to the certification assessment) is the property of the U.S. Department of

Defense and accessis reserved to authorized usersonly.

GPC assessments shall be used by U.S. Government and Commonwealth Partner personnel in accordance with the 

procedures described in the GPC Program Handbook. GPC assessments are not publicly releasable.

By participating in a GPC assessment, you acknowledge that you meet the general and exam specific eligibility 

requirements including the requirement to hold an active U.S. Government security clearance (or active 

Commonwealth Partner equivalent) commensurate with the assessment classification. Additionally, you accept

the responsibility to protect the integrity of GPC assessments by not disclosing, disseminating, copying,

publishing, or transmitting any part of any assessment in any form without the expressed permission of the

GEOINT Professional Certification Program Management Office.

Further,by participating in a GPC assessment, you acknowledge that youwill be advised if you passed or did not

pass but you will not be provided information related toscoresor individual test questions.

You may be subject to disciplinary actions under agency or component standards of conduct, disqualified from

participating inthe assessment or the certification programasa whole, andyour certificationmay be revoked if 

you:

1. Participate inthe assessment under false identity

2. Circumvent or violate the program’sproceduresorsecurity mechanisms

Accept Check this box andprovide your name,signature,anddate in the space below toindicate your

acceptance of theGEOINT Professional Certification Terms andConditions.

Signature PrintedName Date
24

APPENDIX B - GPC NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

I, , an employee of _, in my capacity asa

□Proctor □Site Administrator □Test developer □Angoff PanelMember

□ Other(fill in role)

for the (name of certification test(s) supported)

understand in the course of my work for or involving the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) that

GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) testing materials may be disclosed to me or I may otherwise have

access to them in the workplace. I further understand that testing materials regarding GEOINT Certification

must be protected fromunauthorized disclosure toensure the integrity of the certification process. Accordingly,

I agree toabide by allterms and obligations contained inthis Agreement untilreleased by proper authority.

I agree that Iwill not disclose anyGPC test materialsortheir contents, including but not limitedtodraft,partial or 

complete assessment tools and other test materials related to the development of test questions to anyone

without the expressed permission of the GPC Program Management Office.

I agree to use the test materials solely for the purpose of performing my role in support of GPC test

development, administration, or program management and to immediately return to the Program

Management Office all certification testing materialsinmy possession whenmy participation inthe certification 

programceases.

I agree that I will not disclose the personal or privileged information of any candidate or certificant to include

assessment results,scores, competency levelfeedback,item responses, participation,or demographic data.

Additionally, I agree not to take any of the GPC testsidentified above for personal certification purposes for a 

period of one yearfrom my last participation inrelated development of that test. I also agree that if assigned as 

a Site Administrator or Proctor, I cannot take any of the GPC tests specified above or any exam for which I have 

hadaccessto and control of, for a period of one year following my service as either a Site Administrator or Proctor.

I understand that if I violate the terms and conditions of this Agreement, I may be subject to administrative,

disciplinary, civil, or criminal actions andpenalties.

I hereby acknowledge that I have received instruction concerning the nature and protection of such testing

materials, including the procedures to be followed in safeguarding and disclosing such information only to

authorized persons.

Signature individual Printed Name Date

Signaturewitness Printed Name Date
25

APPENDIX C - GPC CONFLICT OF INTEREST AGREEMENT

I, , an employee of _, in my capacity asa

□ Proctor □ Site Administrator □ Test developer □ Judge □ Angoff PanelMember

□ Governance Council Member □ Tradecraft rep □ Other(fill in role)

understand that in the course of my work in support of the GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) program,

situationsmay arisewheremy participationmay raise concerns about an actual,potential,or perceived conflict

betweenmy interests(private or professional) and the interestsof theGPC program.I further understand that

a conflict of interest may make it difficult to fulfill my professional responsibilities impartially and that the

perception of a conflict of interest may be as serious as an actual conflict ofinterest.

Examplesof a conflict of interest include:

- Administering a test tosomeone within my direct chain-of-command

- The administration of a test by a candidate’simmediate supervisor

- Personal, financial,or organizationaltiesthat may biasmy opinion as a panel member or judge

- Personal obligations, loyalties, or favoritism that may influence essential certification decisions 

regarding assessment development, implementation, maintenance, delivery, and/or assessment

updateswhich negatively influence decisionsregarding GPC programs

- An individually-held value, obligation, or priority that is fundamentally incompatible with the purposes,

policies, or operationsof theGPC program

Should I become aware of any perceived or actual conflictofinterest by any individual(s), group(s), organization(s),

or myself, I agree toimmediately disclose the detailsof the circumstance to the GPC Program ManagementOffice

(PMO).

I agree that if Iam involved in an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest, I willreview the details of

the circumstance with the GPC PMO and, if necessary, agree to recuse myself from any portion of those

activitiesthat are directly relatedtothat conflict.

I understand that I may continue my involvement with the GPC Program as long as my actions do not prejudice

the activity through biased commentary, votes,etc.

Accordingly, I agree to abide by all terms and obligations contained in this Agreement until no longer serving in

the capacity indicated above.

Signature Printed Name Date
26

APPENDIX D - GPC WAIVERS

 

A candidate or certificant may seek awaivertospecific GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) procedures.

Waiverswill be considered for:

1. Mattersof eligibility

• GEOINT professionals outside of the specified work roles

• Training equivalency

2. CertificationMaintenance and Renewal process

• GPC PMOaudit – request 90-day extension to work PDUshortfallsidentified during audit

3. Other programelementswhere additional information may be relevantsuchas:

• Extenuating circumstances affecting timelines (i.e., deployment, maternity/paternity leave,

medical issues)

• Proctor documented testing issues – request waiverto90-daywait between assessments

• Change of assignment that alters eligibility

Waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the GPC Program Management Office (PMO) at

gpcwaiver@nga.mil and must include the following information:

1. A description of the procedure or matterrequested to be waived;

2. Rationale that supportswhy thewaivershould be granted;

3. Documentation that supports the request (e.g. TDY orders, evidence of Leave without Pay, etc.)

4. The candidate’sor certificant’sname and contactsinformation.

Responsibilities

 

Within NGA: The GPC PMO will routinely check the GPC Program Office Waiver mailbox and facilitate a 

thorough andtimely reviewof all GPC waiverrequestsbasedupon justification and adequate documentation.

• All waiver requests will be reviewed and researched by a minimum of two personnel; a PMO

member and either a tradecraft,professional advisory boardor careerservicemember.

Non-NGA: The procedures for GPC waivers by NSG organizations outside of NGA will be specified by their 

agency or component.

• Allwaiverrequestswill be reviewed by assignedagency or component office and forwarded to

the PMO at gpcwaiver@nga.milwith the recommended decision.

Contract personnel ona government contractshouldsubmit waiversinaccordancewiththeir respective

NGA and non-NGA processes as defined by eachagency or component.

The recommended decision is forwarded to the GPC PMOChieffor approval. This decision is final, and a 

written decision will be provided to the submitter and respective program management office within 30 

calendar days of the receipt of the waiver.

Waiver decisions will be documented and maintained in the GPC Waiver Log.
27

APPENDIX E - GPC APPEALS

 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE APPEALS BOARD

 

A first-levelGEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) appealmust be submitted inwriting tothe candidates’ agency

or component Program Management Office Appeals Board (POAB) within 14 calendar days of receiving notice of 

an appealable decision andmust include all the following:

• A description of the decisionbeing appealed;

• Any evidence or argument as towhy the decision should be overturned;

• The appellantsname and contact information.

A first level appealmay only be filed torequest:

• To question assessment instrument results (i.e., rescore a test);

• To question eligibility determination (i.e., reviewdue to extenuating circumstances);

• To question certification status(i.e., disciplinary and recertification decisions).

An appealregarding anymattersnot described above is not within the purviewof theGPC Assessment,

including the following:

• Agency or components employment policy;

• Agency or component eligibility criteria for identifying billets or individuals for GPC conferral;

• Agency or component affiliation;

• Pilot assessments

A permanent Program Management Office Appeals Board (POAB) shall be maintained by the GPC PMO Chief 

under the oversight of the GPC Governance Council to ensure diversity of perspectives with collective interest in 

the integrity of GPC credentials. The POAB shall be comprised of a minimum of three voting members and one 

non-voting member from the GPC Program Management Office (PMO). All members must be United States 

military or civilian government employees. Voting members are: 1) A current GPC Governance Council Public 

Member, 2) A current appointee to the GPC Component Working Group, and 3) an appropriate representative of 

a GEOCOM-recognized community tradecraft or professional development body. For all matters, the POAB shall 

decide by a majority vote of the three voting members. TheGPC PMO is responsible for providing the POAB with

the research anddocumentation necessary to conduct itsreviewandmake its determination.

Note 1: Firstlevel appealrequestsfortestrescoringwill be conducted and adjudicated bytheGPC ProgramManagement

Office. All othertypes of firstlevel appealsrequire the convocation ofthePOAB.
28

The POAB willmeet as necessary to:

1. Conduct thorough and timely reviewsof all first-levelGPC appealrequestsbased upon documented 

acceptable appeal criteria.

• All appealrequestswill be reviewed

• Requeststhat did not follow the statedpolicy/procedurewill be returned tothe appellant

without POAB deliberationwith the response “Appealrequests are related tomattersof 

extenuating circumstances,renewal opportunities,or rescoring. Yourrequest does not fall

into one of these categories,thus your request for an appeal is not accepted.” Note: This

response will also identify the specific item(s) needing clarification.

2. Provide appellantswritten decisionswithin30 calendar daysof the receipt ofthe appeal. Note: The

POAB decision isfinal 15 daysafter delivering itswritten decision unless a second level appeal is filed

within the allotted timeframe.

3. Document and maintain the decision in the GPC System of Record and any supporting

documentation in anticipation of second-level appealsto the Governance Council Appeals Board.

GOVERNANCE COUNCI L APPEALS BOARD

 

The Governance Council Appeals Board only considers second-level appeal requests, i.e., appeals filed by

appellantswhoare dissatisfiedwithPOAB appeal decisions.Governance Council Appeals Boardrequests must be

submitted in writing via email to gpcappeals@nga.ic.gov or gpcappeals@nga.mil with the subject line “Second 

Appeal Request” within 14 calendar days after the first appeal (POAB) decision and must include a written 

statement that identifieshowandwhy the appellant believesthe POAB decision was erroneous.

The Governance Council Appeals Board is typically comprised of all the voting members of the council but may be 

comprised of a subset of the council in order to facilitate more timely decisions. The Appeals Board must include 

a minimum of three (military or civilian) members, designated by their respective agencies or components and 

approved by the Governance Council Chair. The board will include at least one member from NGA, and at least 

one member from the military.

The Governance Council Appeals Board will meet as necessary to conduct thorough and timely reviews of all 

second-level GPC appeals based upon the documented acceptable appeal criteria:

• All appeal requests will be reviewed.

• Determine whether the POAB decision was appropriate.

• Provide appellants written decisions within 45 calendar days of the receipt of the appeal.

• Document and maintain the final decision2in the GPC system of record.

Note 2: Governance Council Appeals Board decisions are final and there are no further appeals to a Governance Council

Appeals Board decision.
29

APPENDIX F - RECORDS MANAGEMENT, RETENTION, AND DISCLOSURE

 

As directed by DoDM 3305.10, the GPC PMO complies with NCCA guidance on the collection and retention of

registration, demographic, and assessment data for all applicants, candidates, current certificants, and previous

certificants. Additionally, the GPC PMO complies with record management policies outlined in Department of

Defense (DoD) Records Management Directive 5015.2,DoD Manual 5200.01 Volume 3, Title 36 Code of Federal 

Regulations Chapter XII, National Archives and Records Administration Sub B Records Management, and NGA

Instruction 8040.1R10 Appendix 10 – Records andInformation Life-Cycle Managementseries1002-04.

Aggregated information may be shared for the benefit of the community. 

The recordkeeping copiesof certificant information,personal information, andassessment results are retained in

electronic formand cut off annually. The records are retired toa recordsstorage facilitywhenno longer needed

for current operations, andthendestroyed 40 years after cut off. Results of GPC PMOauditsof candidate records

to confirm compliance to certification eligibility requirements and recordsof examination data andreportsthat 

provide evidence of validity and reliability of the examination are also retained in electronic form and destroyed 

40 years after cut off. All records are disposed of according to destruction methods appropriate fortheir assigned

classification and declassification.

Certificantsmay accesstheir certification statuson the Certification Management System at 

www.geointcertification.net. via the “List of CertifiedGEOINT Professionals” link located on the GPC home page

located on the CAC enabled SBUNet at https://geointcertification.nga.mil/. The record includesthe certificant’s

name, the type of certification, award date,andcertificate number.

The PMO will respond to electronic correspondence from a third party that requests confirmation of the status

of a current or former certificant. Whenconsidered tobe in the best interestsoftheUSG andthe certificant, the 

PMO will specify the certification(s) currently held by the individual. If the individual does not hold any

credentials,the PMOmay release a statement tothe thirdparty confirming that, asof a givendate,the individual

does not appear on theGPC PMO’slist of certified individuals. Third Party requestsshould be sent to theGPC

mailbox at gpcprogramoffice@coe.ic.gov(JWICS) or gpcprogramoffice@nga.mil.
30

APPENDIX G - GPC MAINTENANCE AUDIT PROCEDURES

 

In order to ensure the accuracy of the recertification process, the GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC)

Program Management Office (PMO) will conduct periodic audits of certificant records to verify certificant

compliance with GPC recertification requirements. As described in the Professional Development Units section 

above, after receiving their GPC-F credential certificantsshould begin to document their creditable maintenance

activities in the Certification Management System (CMS) available on the World Wide Web at 

www.geointcertification.net. The CMS enables certificants to record the title, description, category, start/end 

date, and the number of PDUs earned for each maintenance activity. Although not required, certificants are 

strongly encouraged to upload documents to the CMS that provide evidence of their maintenance activities (i.e. 

course completion certificates, transcripts, supervisor attestations, etc.). Certificants who do not upload 

supporting documentation of their PDU activities to the CMS (1) must maintain copies of these documents until

receiving notification from the GPC PMO of their successful recertification and (2) if audited, must provide the 

documents to the GPC PMO to demonstrate compliance with their GPC maintenance requirements. Certificants 

are notified that they are recertified within 60 days of the end of their 3-year maintenance cycle.

A percentage of the certification maintenance records received by the GPC PMO will be audited to verify

certificant compliance with GPC recertification requirements. The percentage of maintenance recordsthat will

be audited will be adjusted by the PMO as necessary to reduce the sampling risk to an acceptably low level. A

sufficient number of records will be examined to obtain appropriate audit evidence and to be able to draw

reasonable conclusions. In determining the number of records to review, auditors should consider: (1) the

likelihood of unintentional errors in the certificant maintenance records, (2) the probability of fraud in the

certificant maintenance documentation, and (3) the ability of the PMO to accurately assess the validity and

completenessof certificant maintenance records.

If an audit revealsthat a certificantfailedtodocument 100 creditable PDUsduring theirthree-year maintenance

period but in the opinion of the PMOthe individualmade a good faith effort to fulfill the requirement, then the

certified individualmay be granted a 90-daywaivertoresolve the shortfall.Waiversdo not constitute a reset of 

the certificant'srenewal clock,but rathersummarily shorten the following maintenance period by 90-days.

Within 90-days following the end of each certificant’s three-year maintenance period, the GPC PMO will send a

notification to the email addressonrecordwith theGPC/PMOtoinformthe certificantthat they have (1)met the

maintenance requirements and are recertified or (2) that the PMO was unable to confirm that the individual

provided sufficient maintenance documentation forrecertification and that their credential(s) have expired.
31

APPENDIX H - GPC COMPETENCIES (TOPIC AREAS AND ASSOCIATED WEIGHTS)

GPC assessments measure an applicant’s breadth of geospatial intelligence discipline/tradecraft-specific 

knowledge. Awareness of the essential body of knowledge associated with the work role of a GEOINT professional 

is essential to leveraging the full spectrum of the practitioner’s capabilities. The charts below specify the name of 

each GPC assessment, the purpose of that exam, the exam competencies, and the percentage of questions (exam 

weight) associated with each competency.

GEOINT Fundamentals (GPC-F) ••• Ensure that credentialed geospatial intelligence practitioners, along 

a scale of proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT, have demonstrated knowledge of the facts, 

concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission 

functions. (Public Release 22-244, 14 April 2021)

Processes and Techniques 13%

Collection and Tasking Principles 8%

Customer Requirements and Service 8%

Data Evaluation Principles 9%

Geographic Information 8%

GEOINT Doctrine 8%

Information Dissemination 7%

Intelligence Issues 9%

National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG) and Allied System for Geospatial 

Intelligence (ASG)

6%

Quality Assurance 7%

Research and Information Gathering 7%

Security Classification Control and Disclosure/Release 10%
32

Aeronautical Analysis (AA-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Aeronautical Analysis practitioners, along a 

scale of proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT Aeronautical Analysis, have demonstrated 

knowledge of the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution 

of GEOINT mission functions. (Public Release 21-530, 7 May 2021)

Safety of Navigation: Aeronautical Governance and Industry 19%

Customer Requirements: Aeronautical Source 18%

Production: Aeronautical GEOINT Production 21%

Quality Assurance: Aeronautical Quality 13%

Data Processing: Aeronautical Data 15%

Customer Operations: Aeronautical Customer Service and Data/Product Access 14%

Applied Sciences (AS-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Applied Sciences practitioners, along a scale of 

proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT Applied Sciences (Bathymetry, Geodetic Earth Science, 

Geodetic Orbit Science, and Geodetic Surveying), have demonstrated knowledge of the facts, concepts, 

and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission functions. 

(Public Release 22-061, 21 Jul 2021)

Cartographic Analysis 10%

Coordinate System Analysis 10%

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Based Analysis 12%

Information Security 7%

Mathematics 14%

Statistical Analysis 17%

Tools and Methods 30%
33

Cartography (CA-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Cartography practitioners, along a scale of proficiency 

within the topical area of GEOINT Cartography, have demonstrated knowledge of the facts, concepts, 

and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission functions. 

(Public Release 22-060, 27 Jan 2022)

Extraction and Attribution 18%

Production 16%

Safety of Navigation 14%

Tools and Methods 13%

Quality Assurance 16%

Researching 13%

Data/Information Processing 10%

GEOINT Collection (GC-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed GEOINT Collection practitioners, along a scale 

of proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT Collection, have demonstrated knowledge of the facts, 

concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission 

functions. (Public Release 22-246, 5 Jun 2019)

Collection Operations 19%

Collection Strategies and Development 17%

Customer Operations and Requirements 13%

Collection System Capabilities 18%

Intelligence Topics 9%

Policy and Throughput 8%

Tools and Methods 16%
34

Geospatial Analysis (GA-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Geospatial Analysis practitioners, along a scale 

of proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT Geospatial Analysis, have demonstrated knowledge of 

the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT 

mission functions. (Public Release 21-944, 14 May 2020)

Acquire, Assess, Prepare, and Manage Data for Geoprocessing 26%

Leverage Geospatial Information Science and Technology 25%

Apply Critical and Spatial Thinking to Intelligence Problems 24%

Communicate Analytic Findings 25%

Geospatial Data Management (GDM-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Geospatial Data Management 

practitioners, along a scale of proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT Geospatial Data 

Management, have demonstrated knowledge of the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by 

experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission functions. (Public Release 22-242, 1 Sep 2020)

Data/Information Management 24%

Data/Information Processing 20%

Cartographic Principles 20%

Researching 18%

Customer Operations and Requirements 18%
35

Human Geography (HG-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Human Geography practitioners, along a scale 

of proficiency within the topical area of GEOINT Human Geography, have demonstrated knowledge of 

the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT 

mission functions. (Public Release 22-245, 25 Feb 2019)

GEOINT Fundamentals and Human Geography Relevance 27%

Human Geography Concepts 19%

Data Discovery, Conditioning, and Management 26%

Production 28%

Imagery Analysis (IA-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Imagery Analysis practitioners, along a scale of 

proficiency, within the topical area of GEOINT Imagery Analysis, have demonstrated the knowledge of 

the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT 

mission functions. (Public Release 22-414, 26 Jan 2022)

Imagery Collection Management 21%

Collateral and Historical Research 24%

Imagery Interpretation/Imagery Analysis 29%

Production 26%

Imagery Science (IS-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Imagery Science practitioners, along a scale of 

proficiency, within the topical area of GEOINT Imagery Science, have demonstrated the knowledge of 

the facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT 

mission functions. (Public Release 22-415, 26 Jun 2019)

Collection System Capabilities 45%

Processing and Exploitation Capabilities 55%
36

Maritime Analysis (MA-II) ••• Ensure that credentialed Maritime Analysis practitioners, along a scale 

of proficiency, within the topical area of Maritime Analysis, have demonstrated the knowledge of the 

facts, concepts, and principles deemed critical by experts to the successful execution of GEOINT mission 

functions. (Public Release 20-768, 8 April 2019)

Maritime Navigation Principles 19%

Maritime Governance & Industry 8%

Maritime Sources 17%

Maritime GEOINT Production 19%

Maritime Quality 14%

Maritime Databases & Information Processing 8%

Maritime Customer Operations & Data/Product Access 15%
37

APPENDIX I - GPC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS RATIONALE

The eligibility requirements and associated rationale for each of the GPC certificationsare listed below. 

Candidates must meet all of the eligibility requirements for a specific GEOINT discipline (tradecraft/work role)

in order to be awarded the credential for that discipline. All Proficiency Level II (PL-II) certifications include the 

GPC-F Proficiency Level I (PL-I) credential as an eligibility requirement precluding candidate participation in a 

PL-II exam prior to being awarded the GPC-F credential. 

Fundamentals

(GPC-F)

• Have at least one year’s experience working in a Department of Defense (DoD) GEOINT 

agency or with GEOINT activities in a DoD component --- Experience working in a DoD 

GEOINT environment provides the context of GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and 

processes needed in order to possess a baseline of understanding for the practice of 

geospatial intelligence in the Department of Defense. 

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered successful at an entry level, a GEOINT analyst must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing,as measure by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and imagery analyst community.

• Meet the GPC-F certification assessment’s passing score---Meeting the passing score 

indicates that a GEOINT analyst possesses the knowledge necessary to operate at the 

full performance level.
38

Aeronautical 

Analysis

(AA-II)

• Have three or more total years of GEOINT aeronautical analytic experience ---

Experience working as an aeronautical analyst provides the familiarity with the 

GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and processes needed to perform aeronautical analyst 

functions in the Department of Defense at the full performance level. 

• Successfully meet tradecraft entrance requirements to satisfy full performance 

Aeronautical Analysis work role requirements through relevant academic 

diploma/degree/certificate and/or previous professional experience --- Successful 

professional experience and/or the completion of formal aeronautical training and 

educational programs demonstrates an ability to understand and apply the 

aeronautical concepts necessary to perform aeronautical analyst functions in the 

Department of Defense at the full performance level. 

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential --- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD aeronautical analysis role, an analyst must possess 

basic knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the 

GPC-F exam. 

• Meet the GPC AA-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing 

score indicates that an aeronautical analyst has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge. 

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, an aeronautical analyst must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing,as measured by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and aeronautical analyst community. 

Applied 

Sciences

(AS-II)

• Have two or more total years of GEOINT Applied Sciences experience --- Experience 

working as an Applied Scientist provides the familiarity with the GEOINT doctrine, 

sciences, and processes needed to perform Applied Sciencesfunctions in the 

Department of Defense at the full performance level. 

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential ---This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD applied sciences role, an analyst must possess basic 
39

Applied 

Sciences 

continued

knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the GPC-F 

exam. 

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, an Applied Scientist must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing, as measured by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and Applied Sciences community. 

• Meet the AS-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing score 

indicates that an Applied Scientist has demonstrated their proficiency in the content 

areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge. 

Cartography

(CA-II)

• Have three or more total years’ experience as a GEOINT analyst or hold a valid GPC PL-II 

credential--- Experience working as a GEOINT Analyst provides the familiarity with the 

GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and processes needed to perform Cartographic Analyst 

functions in the Department of Defense at the full performance level.

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential--- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD cartographic analysis role, an analyst must possess 

basic knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the 

GPC-F exam.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, a Cartographic Analyst must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing,as measured by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and the Cartographic Analyst community.

• Meet the CA-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing score 

indicates that a Cartographic Analyst has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge.
40

Geospatial 

Analysis

(GA-II)

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, a Geospatial Analyst must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and the Geospatial Analyst community. 

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential --- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD geospatial analysis role, an analyst must possess basic 

knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the GPC-F 

exam.

• Successfully complete the tradecraft specific Professional Qualification Standards (PQS) 

as indicated in the PQS Guidance Document (available on the GPC website at 

gpc.nga.ic.gov/resources.php) --- Successful completion of the GA-II PQS demonstrates 

a full level of proficiency with the systems and procedures used by the analyst’s 

organization as well as indicating that the analyst has experience with all of the 

aspects of the Geospatial Analyst role required to demonstrate full performance. 

Additional information on PQS eligibility requirements is provided in Appendix J. 

• Meet the GPC GA-II certification assessment’s passing score - Meeting the passing 

score indicates that a Geospatial Analyst has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge. 

GEOINT 

Collection

(GC-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certifications Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential--- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD collection management role, an analyst must possess 

basic knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the 

GPC-F exam.

• Meet one of the following experience criteria: (1) have two or more years of GEOINT 

collection experience, or (2) have five or more years of GEOINT experience and 

successfully complete GEOINT Requirements Research (GCRM2200) and GEOINT 

Requirements Management (GCRM2202).--- Experience working as a Collection 

Manager provides the familiarity with the GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and processes 
41

GEOINT 

Collection

continued

needed to perform Collection Management functions in the Department of Defense at 

the full performance level.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, a Collection Manager must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and the Collection Manager community.

• Meet the GPC GC-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing 

score indicates that a Collection Manager has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge.

Geospatial 

Data 

Management

(GDM-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification-Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential --- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD Geospatial Data Management role, an analyst must 

possess basic knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by 

the GPC-F exam.

• Have two or more total years of GEOINT GDM experience or five or more years of 

GEOINT experience --- Experience working as a Geospatial Data Manager provides the 

familiarity with the GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and processes needed to perform 

Geospatial Data Management functions in the Department of Defense at the full 

performance level.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, a Geospatial Data Manager must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s 

organization, is (a) an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and the Geospatial Collection Manager community.

• Meet the GPC GDM-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing 

score indicates that a Geospatial Data Manager has demonstrated their proficiency in 

the content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge.
42

Human 

Geography

(HG-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamental (GPC-F) credential--- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD Human Geographer role, an analyst must possess basic 

knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the GPC-F 

exam.

• Have two or more years of HG GEOINT experience OR possess four or more total years 

of GEOINT Analyst work role experience--- Experience working as a Human 

Geographer provides the familiarity with the GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and 

processes needed to perform Human Geographic functions in the Department of 

Defense at the full performance level.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, a Human Geographer must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s 

organization, is (a) an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 

(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and the Geospatial Human Geography community.

• Meet the GPC-HG II certification assessment’s passing score --- Meeting the passing 

score indicates that a Human Geographer has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge. 

Imagery 

Analysis

(IA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification-Fundamentals (GPC-F) credential--- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD imagery analysis role, an analyst must possess basic 

knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the GPC-F 

exam.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, an imagery analyst must be able to satisfactorily perform 

the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s organization (a) is 

an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to fulfill their duties, 

(b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and (c) confirms that 

the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves the best 

interests of the public and imagery analyst community.
43

Imagery 

Analysis 

continued

• Successfully complete the tradecraft specific Professional Qualification Standards (PQS) 

as indicated in the IA-II PQS Guidance document --- Successful completion of the IA-II 

PQS demonstrates a full level of proficiency with the systems and procedures used by 

the analyst’s organization as well as indicating that the analyst has experience with all 

of the aspects of the imagery analysis role required to demonstrate full performance. 

Additional information on PQS eligibility requirements is provided in Appendix J.

• Meet the GPC IA-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing 

score indicates that an imagery analyst has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge.

Imagery 

Science

(IS-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamental (GPC-F) credential--- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the DoD. In order to perform at the full performance level in 

a DoD imagery scientist role, an analyst must possess basic knowledge of GEOINT 

doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the GPC-F exam.

• Possess three or more total years of Imagery Science work role experience --- 

Experience working as an Imagery Scientist provides the familiarity with the GEOINT 

doctrine, sciences, and processes needed to perform Imagery Science functions in the 

Department of Defense at the full performance level. 

• Have successfully completed the work role specific Professional Qualification Standards 

(PQS)--- Successful completion of the IS-II PQS demonstrates a full level of proficiency 

with the systems and procedures used by the analyst’s organization as well as 

indicating that the analyst has experience with all of the aspects of the Imagery 

Scientist role required to demonstrate full performance. Additional information on 

PQS eligibility requirements is provided in Appendix J.

• Meet the GPC IS-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing 

score indicates that an Imagery Scientist has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, an Imagery Scientist must be able to satisfactorily 

perform the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s 

organization (a) is an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to 

fulfill their duties, (b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and 
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(c) confirms that the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves 

the best interests of the public and Imagery Science community.

Maritime

(MA-II)

• Hold a valid GEOINT Professional Certification Fundamental (GPC-F) credential--- This 

credential establishes a baseline of understanding of the practice of geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to perform at the 

full performance level in a DoD Maritime Analyst role, an analyst must possess basic 

knowledge of GEOINT doctrine, disciplines, and processes as assessed by the GPC-F 

exam.

• Have a total of two or more years GEOINT Maritime Analysis experience or a total of 

five years or more of GEOINT experience --- Experience working as a Maritime Analyst 

provides the familiarity with the GEOINT doctrine, sciences, and processes needed to 

perform Maritime Analysis functions in the Department of Defense at the full 

performance level. 

• Meet the GPC MA-II certification assessment’s passing score ---Meeting the passing 

score indicates that a Maritime Analyst has demonstrated their proficiency in the 

content areas outlined in the essential body of knowledge.

• Be in good standing as defined by their employing component or agency --- To be 

considered full performance, a Maritime Analyst must be able to satisfactorily perform 

the duties of that job. Good standing as measured by the analyst’s organization (a) is 

an objective indication that the analyst demonstrates the ability to fulfill their duties, 

(b) is documented on annual personnel performance appraisals, and (c) confirms that 

the conduct of the analyst meets organizational standards and serves the best 

interests of the public and Maritime Analysis community.
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APPENDIX J - GPC PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

Professional Qualification Standards (PQS) are On the Job Training programs developed from GEOINT work 

functions identified in relevant job analyses. The PQS programs are independently operated by organizations 

that compose the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG). Effectively, PQS programs serve as skills 

standards which Full Performance analysts must perform via demonstration or application. The nature of the 

PQS tasks make them difficult to be addressed by the GPC assessment instruments(multiple-choice tests). 

Work functions which are demonstrated/observed as part of PQS reviews include tasks such as “an imagery 

analyst is capable of performing imagery search at a [specified level of accuracy] within a [specified period of 

time].” This means that an appropriately-qualified observer, an “attestant” who typically is GPC-certified in the 

relevant work role, will watch a practitioner demonstrate the task and apply sound judgment to determine if 

the standard has been met. In this example, the subject will use a classified computer system to scan a large 

frame of imagery to achieve an outcome, such as identifying any changes from a previous image, or identifying 

specific features present within the frame. The attestant will determine whether or not the activity has been 

successfully completed at the level expected of a full performance analyst. If so, the attestant will annotate the 

success in the appropriate box of the PQS Workbook, along with a date of the observance and their initials. In 

some cases, the attestant may draw from a recent observance of the individual’s demonstration of the task in 

an operational environment, or may review the practitioner’s body of work (portfolio) to determine the 

practitioner’s capability. Note in this example of imagery search, a portfolio could not be used as the attestant 

would not be able to assess the subject’s ability to perform the search within the specified timeframe.

As a final step to ensure the integrity of the attestant’sobservation of the practitioner, a qualifier (a supervisor 

of the Attestant) must review the PQS Workbook to ensure all tasks have been successfully performed (signed 

off). The Qualifier must sign a statement to indicate that they believe the review was conducted with 

appropriate rigor, and without bias or undue influence. 

Component PQS Workbooks are subject to review by collaborative NSG bodies such as the GEOINT Training and 

Tradecraft Professional Development Committee to ensure the tasks can be reasonably expected to produce a 

reliable assessment of proficiency in the work functions specified in the NSG PQS Handbook.

Access to PQS programs: Eligibility requirements for all GPC programs specify that an applicant must “Be 

actively serving in a GEOINT-related work role within the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG)”. As 

such, all prospective applicants for GPC certification have access to the NSG PQS Handbook and Component 

PQS Workbook respective to the credential they are pursuing. The PQS Handbook and PQS workbooks are 

viewable and downloadable on the JWICS classified system available to prospective applicants.
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APPENDIX K - GPC ASSESSMENT SITES 

US Locations

AL - Huntsville FL - Orlando NJ - Fort Dix VA - Quantico

AZ –Davis-Monthan AFB GA – Fort Benning NM - Las Cruces WA – Fort Lewis

AZ - Fort Huachuca GA - Fort Gordon NV - NAS Fallon Allied Locations

CA - Beale AFB GA - Fort Stewart NY - Fort Drum DEU - Ramstein AFB

CA - Camp Parks GA - Robins AFB OH - Dayton DEU - Stuttgart

CA - MCB Camp Pendleton HI - Fort Shafter SC - Shaw Air Force Base DEU - Wiesbaden

CA - Riverside HI - Pearl Harbor TX - Fort Bliss GBR - RAF Molesworth

CA - San Diego KS - Fort Riley TX - Fort Hood ITA - Vicenza

CA - Vandenberg AFB KY - Fort Campbell TX - Fort Sam Houston JPN - Okinawa

CO - Buckley AFB MD - Fort Meade TX - Fort Worth JPN – Yokosuka NS

CO - Fort Carson MD - Laurel TX - Goodfellow AFB KOR -Osan

CO – Fort Schriever SFB MO - Ft Leonard Wood VA - Charlottesville KOR - Pyeongtaek

CO - Peterson AFB MO - St. Louis VA - Dahlgren KWT - Al Ahmadi

FL - Eglin AFB MS - Bay St Louis VA - Langley AFB QAT – As Sayliya

FL – Hurlburt Field AFB NC - Fort Bragg VA - Norfolk

FL - MacDill AFB NC - MCB Camp Lejeune VA - Quantico

FL - Miami NE - Offutt AFB VA - Springfield
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APPENDIX L - GLOSSARY

Accreditation: Status awarded to a certification program that has demonstrated compliance with the

standards for the accreditation of certification programs set forth by the National Commission for Certifying

Agencies (NCCA).

Active: The status of credential which has been awarded by the GPC PMO and is currently valid for use (not 

expired or revoked).

Active U.S. Government Security Clearance: A clearance issued by the United States of America for which the 

candidate is presently eligible for access to classified information. An active USG security clearance is required 

to participate in the GPC program. Candidates with current or expired clearances are not eligible to 

participate in the GPC program without a reinstatement of an active USG security clearance.

Applicant: Anindividualwhohasregistered toparticipate in a GPC assessment.

Candidate: An individual who has met the eligibility qualification for, but has not yet earned, a credential

awarded through a certification program.

Certificant: Anindividualwhohasmet GPC,agency, andcomponent requirementstobe certified andhas been

conferred certification.

Certification: The awardingof a credential acknowledging that anindividual hasdemonstrated a specified level

of knowledge or competence.

Certification Mark: A type of trademark used to show consumers that providers of particular goods and/or 

services have met certain standards. The certification mark is the intellectual property of the certification body 

and may only be used with its authorization. (The I.C.E Basic Guide to Credentialing Terminology, 2nd Edition)

Competence: The ability to perform a task, function, or role up to a set of prescribed standards.

Conferred: The status of a credential that has been approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence 

and Security (USD(I&S)). This decision authorizes the GPC PMO to award the credential.

Continuing competence: Demonstrating specific levels of knowledge,skills,or ability throughout anindividual’s

professional career.(The ICE Handbook, 3rd Edition, p. 560).

Contracting Organizations: Entities that provide professional services to the Department of Defense as a

contracted vendor.
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Credential: A formal recognition awarded to an individual who has met predetermined standards and maintains 

the associated renewal requirements. (NCCA Standards, 2021, Standard 1 Commentary)

Cutoff: Breaking or ending files at regular intervals, usually a fiscal or calendar year end, to permit their

disposal or transfer.

Cut Score: A specific score on an assessment instrument or instruments at or above which the applicant 

passes and below which the applicant fails.

Defense Intelligence Enterprise Manager: D/NGA’s role as defined in DoD Directive 5105.60 to conduct all 

Geospatial-Intelligence (GEOINT) activities delegated under the authorities of the SECDEF and Undersecretary 

of Defense for Intelligence and Security (USD(I&S)) in accordance with NGA’s statutory missions under Titles 

10 and 50 United States Code. Refers to D/NGA in his/her role as the Manager of US GEOINT interests as 

prescribed by EO 12333 and further delegated by the DNI in lCD 113 and SecDef in DoDD 5105.60.

Designation: An indication of a credential that an individual holds, which could be a specific title, letters, or 

acronyms before or after an individual’s name. (NCCA Standards, 2021, Standard 1 Commentary)

Eligibility Criteria - The prerequisite qualifications that applicants must document to take an examination or 

achieve a credential, often including benchmarks for education, experience, training, and/or apprenticeships. 

Also known as “eligibility requirements.” (I.C.E Basic Guide to Credentialing Terminology, 2nd Edition)

Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK): The specific functional tasks and the knowledge and skills required to

performthose functionaltasks. It describesthe DefenseGEOINT community’s expectation of what individuals

need to know and be able to do to be a high-performing contributor and member of the Defense GEOINT

community.

Expired: The status of a credential which has not been maintained through recertification/renewal. 

Full Performance: Applicable to both the Technician/Administrative Support and Professional Work 

Categories, work at this level involves independently performing the full range of nonsupervisory duties 

appropriate for the designated Work Category. Employees at this level have successfully completed required 

entry-level training and/or developmental activities, have a full understanding of the technical or specialty 

field, independently handle situations or assignments with minimal day-to-day instruction or supervision, and

receive general guidance and direction on new projects or assignments. Full performance employees exercise 

independent judgment in selecting and applying appropriate work methods, procedures, techniques, and 

practices in accomplishing their duties and responsibilities. Actions at this level may have impact beyond the 

work unit and, as a result, employees at this level typically collaborate with their peers internally and 

externally.
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Functional Management:Maintaining knowledge of the activities and resources that pertain to a function across 

the IC; developing and implementing strategic guidance, policies, and procedures for activities within the 

function; setting training and tradecraft standards; advising on resource allocations; evaluating the performance 

and measuring overall effectiveness of the function; continuously improving the performance of the function; 

and enhancing coordination and integration within the function and across functions within the ICD 113 and 

NSGD1100. 

Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT): According to Title 10, GEOINT is the exploitation andanalysis of imagery and

geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict features and geographically referenced activities

on the earth.GEOINT consistsof imagery,imagery intelligence, and geospatial information (10 USC §467[5]).

Good standing: The status of a candidate or certificant who is regarded by their employing agency or 

organization as having complied with all explicit obligations, while not being subject to any form of sanction, 

suspension, or disciplinary censure.

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA): The organization designated by USD(I&S) to provide third 

party accreditation of GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) programs. NCCA has assessed over 300 industry 

and DoD professional certification programs to ensure they meet recognized standards of development, 

implementation, and maintenance to safeguard the health, welfare, and safety of the public. All GPC 

certifications and their assessments are aligned to NCCA standards.

National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG): The combination of technology, policies, capabilities,

doctrine, activities,people, data, andorganizationsnecessary toproduceGEOINT in an integratedmultiintelligence,multi-security domainenvironment.

Pilot Assessment: The initial test for a certification domain that is conducted on a population of a 

statistically significant size. Results are reviewed by a testing expert, and the test is modified as necessary 

to create the final assessment.

Professional Certification: The means to recognize sufficient mastery to warrant autonomous action. (NGA 

GEOINT CONOPS 2020, Autonomy, p. 11)

Professional Development Unit (PDU): The creditable portion of an activity which demonstrates continued 

competence, logged by the certificant in the CMS to maintain GPC credentials. One PDU is typically associated 

with one hour of a planned, structured, and measured learning activity. An individual’s three-year certification 

maintenance period commences upon the award or renewal of their GPC Fundamentals (GPC-F) certification. 

Certificants accrue PDUs throughout this three-year period by successfully completing creditable activities 

within the four approved professional development categories: Academic Study, Training/Education Activities, 

Professional Activities, and Professional Experience.
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Program Management Office: The administrative program office, established IAW DoDM 3305.10 and 

comprised of permanent and contractor staff, who support the implementation and maintenance of the 

GEOINT certification program.

Program Design Document (PDD): Codifies policies and procedures of a certification program. It provides

stakeholders visibility into the strategic,operational, andtechnical elements of a certification program. It

includes documentation requirementsfor accreditation and maintenance of the certification program.

Psychometrics: The fieldof study concerned with the theory and technique of educational and psychological

measurement,whichincludesthemeasurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits.The

field is primarily concernedwiththe study of measurement instrumentssuch as questionnaires andtests.

Recertification/Renewal: Requirements andprocedures established aspartof theGPC programthatcertificants

must meet tomaintain competenceandrenew their certification. Inorder to maintain an active certification,

a GPC certified individual must earn 100 or more Professional Development Units within their three-year

certification maintenance period and remain in good standing as defined by their employing component or 

agency.Referto the Credential Maintenancesection above and The ICE Handbook, 3rd Edition, p. 560.

Revoked: The status of a credential which has been cancelled or removed by the Governance Council prior to 

the projected expiration date.

Third Party - Any individual or entity outside of the two parties directly involved in a transaction (i.e., the 

credentialing body and the credentialing candidates). (I.C.E Basic Guide to Terminology, 2nd Edition)

USG: United States Government
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