Certification governanceHow decisions are made, checked and challenged

The GEO Standard is maintained by GeoAI Optimization. Proposed changes are published for public comment for at least 30 days before adoption, and the change log is public.

Named owner of the Standard and any advisory group: [to be appointed].

Minor versions (1.1) clarify requirements; major versions (2.0) change them. Each certificate states the version it was assessed against. Holders are assessed against the current version at renewal.

Assessors declare relationships with applicants before assessment and are replaced if a conflict exists. People who deliver GEO training do not assess candidates they trained.

Conflict register maintained by: [role].

Assessors hold a current GEO Certified Professional certificate, complete assessor calibration, and are reviewed on a sample of their decisions each year.

The person who scores an assessment does not make the certification decision. Issuance, suspension and revocation are logged with the decision-maker and time.

Applicants may appeal a decision within 30 days. An appeal is heard by someone not involved in the original decision, and the outcome is given in writing within 30 days.

Anyone may complain about a certified party or about GeoAI Optimization. Complaints about certified parties can be made through the report form.

A certificate may be suspended while a credible complaint is investigated, or for non-payment. Suspended certificates show as not valid in the registry and on badges.

A certificate may be revoked for a confirmed breach of the code of conduct or certification terms, or for misrepresentation in the application. Reasons are not published.

Certificates are valid for 12 months. Renewal opens 60 days before expiry. Agencies are sampled on recent client reporting at renewal.

Application, assessment and decision records are kept for the life of the certificate plus a retention period, and are accessible only to authorised staff. Every access to sensitive records is logged.

Retention period: [to be confirmed with counsel].