The program was established in 1981 primarily to identify those individuals that were qualified to conduct the rigorous hydrographic surveys needed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Office of Coast Survey under NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Since that time over 300 individuals have been certified as meeting the minimum five year experience requirement and core competencies of a professional hydrographer.
THSOA provides financial support to the U.S. Hydrographer Certification Program which is run by a 10-12 member Certification Board. The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and THSOA cooperatively administer the U.S. Hydrographer Certification program. NSPS/THSOA certification is official recognition that a person has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Certification Board that he or she is minimally competent to conduct hydrographic surveys.
In 2006 the name was changed to add THSOA in recognition of the long standing financial and professional support provided.
Prospective examinees must have five years of experience in hydrographic surveying, two years of which have been in technical charge of surveys in the field. Applications, which require a detailed resume, must be reviewed and approved by the Hydrographer Certification Board prior to sitting for the examination.
The examination lasts three hours and consists of 160 multiple choice questions covering a wide variety of topics suggested by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG).
The direct link to the Table of Certified Hydrographers is here.
For Additional Information.
To emphasize the importance of the NSPS Hydrographer Certification Test (HCT), THSOA will offer to assist its members who elect to take the test by reimbursing them for their test fees. The HCT requires a $50 application fee that is due when an applicant applies to take the test and a $150 examination/certification fee that is due when the applicant takes the test. The total cost to take the HCT is $200.
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