| The American Congress on Surveying and | | | | attaining and using spatial data using modern |
| Mapping, or ACSM, dates to 1941. It was founded | | | | technology. |
| as a non-profit organization to advance education | | | | In addition to the meeting itself, continuing |
| in surveying, mapping, and related fields. ACSM | | | | education opportunities are also available at this |
| encourages educational programs and publications | | | | time. These continuing education programs allow |
| to serve the professional and technical interests | | | | opportunities for land surveyors, cartographers, |
| of such professions. As a professional | | | | and others to update their skills in response to |
| organization, ACSM provides a way for those in | | | | changing technology. The American Congress on |
| the surveying and mapping professions to keep | | | | Surveying and Mapping is known for the ALTA |
| up-to-date with changes in the industry. | | | | ACSM survey standards, produced in cooperation |
| Today, this professional organization is open to | | | | with the American Land Title Association. These |
| land surveyors, map makers, and those in similar | | | | standards provide a universally accepted method |
| professions. Members may come from private | | | | for surveying commercial properties and other |
| industry, government, or academia. There are | | | | areas where a boundary survey is required. |
| four independent member organizations that are | | | | ACSM offers a way for members to keep |
| part of the American Congress on Surveying and | | | | up-to-date on crucial issues in their profession. A |
| Mapping. These are the American Association for | | | | membership includes the bi-monthly ACSM bulletin |
| Geodetic Surveying, the Cartography and | | | | and a subscription to either Surveying and Land |
| Geographic Information Society, the Geographic | | | | Information Systems or Cartography and |
| and Land Information Society, and the National | | | | Geographic Information Systems. ACSM also runs |
| Society of Professional Surveyors. | | | | continuing education programs for members; |
| Since 2004, individuals no longer join the American | | | | continuing education is required for land surveyors |
| Congress on Surveying and Mapping directly | | | | of many states in order to maintain their state |
| Instead, they join one of the member | | | | licensing. ACSM also maintains a wide selection of |
| organizations. Students, however, join ACSM and | | | | book titles on surveying, cartography, and related |
| are considered members all four organizations, | | | | subjects. |
| giving them the greatest possible range to | | | | Full members of the ACSM member organizations |
| explore careers in this field. Over 8,000 | | | | must ordinarily have at least a bachelor's degree |
| surveyors, cartographers, and other professionals | | | | in a related field of study, or four years of active |
| who deal with spatial data are members of ACSM | | | | professional experience in a related field. An |
| though its four member organizations. | | | | Associate Membership is available to anyone with |
| The American Congress on Surveying and | | | | an interest in the topic, but without the necessary |
| Mapping holds an annual convention in the spring. | | | | education or experience to become a full |
| Up to 2,000 members typically attend such | | | | member. The National Society of Professional |
| gatherings. ACSM is currently working to respond | | | | Surveyors generally requires that full members |
| to the challenges presented by new technologies, | | | | hold the appropriate state surveying license, |
| including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), | | | | although there are several ways to qualify for |
| Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Land | | | | membership without it. |
| Information Systems (LIS), and other ways of | | | | |