Nathaniel J. Ovans is the first to be granted the designation of Provisional Certified Photogrammetrist by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). This provisional certification was made on July 8, 2009.

Ovans will receive his master’s degree in geomatics engineering with emphasis in photogrammetry from Purdue University in August 2009. He received a bachelor’s degree in surveying-engineering from Ferris State University.

He has worked at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and for the Michigan Department of Transportation. Ovans’ academic goal is to complete a Ph.D. at the Ohio State University in the geodetic sciences. He is a student member of ASPRS, ACSM, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers and the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors and was the recipient of the ASPRS Kenneth J. Osborn Memorial Scholarship in 2008 and the Francis H. Moffitt Memorial Scholarship in 2009.

The ASPRS Provisional Certification is designed for students preparing to graduate with educational training in the spatial sciences from an approved institution of higher education, and must follow the Basic Requirements for Certified Photogrammetrist, Mapping Scientist, or Technologist; the exception being the required on-the-job experience. Applicants must submit the appropriate application and fee with one reference from their academic advisor. An official copy of the applicant’s current transcript must accompany the application and the transcript must validate that the applicant has successfully completed a minimum of two courses in the spatial sciences (photogrammetry, remote sensing, or GIS/LIS). The application requires a declaration of compliance with the ASPRS Code of Ethics.

As of May 2009, ASPRS has awarded 10 Provisional Certificates. Of these, eight were at the Certified Mapping Scientist level and two were at the Technologist level. Details of this program can be found at: www.asprs.org/membership/certification/certification_guidelines.html#provisional


Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies. For additional information about ASPRS, visit our web site at www.asprs.org.