Obsolete Document included for historical purposes

BACKGROUND

WHAT ARE THE SECRETARY'S "PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION STANDARDS?"

The Secretary of the Interior is charged with developing standards and guidance for the practice of historic preservation under the National Historic Preservation Act. The Secretary has delegated this responsibility to the National Park Service. The "Professional Qualification Standards" are one part of the Secretary's "Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation."

The protection and preservation of this nation's significant historic and cultural properties depends upon the participation of all our citizens. However, certain decisions affecting these properties need to be made by individuals meeting nationally recognized credentials in order to secure the credibility of historic preservation within the larger public arena at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as in the private sector.

The Secretary of the Interior's "Professional Qualification Standards" describe in terms of academic attainment, training, and experience minimum professional standards for a number of professional disciplines routinely practicing in historic preservation today. These Standards are neither "entry-level" nor do they describe qualifications for pre-eminent master professionals in the field. Rather, they describe the minimum education and experience which, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Interior, qualifies select individuals to produce professionally credible and competent work within both the historic preservation arena and in the larger public arena nationwide.

PLEASE NOTE: THESE STANDARDS ARE ADVISORY.

THEY ARE NOT REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICING HISTORIC PRESERVATION EXCEPT WHERE THEY ARE MADE REQUIREMENTS BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS OR PROCEDURES, OR BY PRIVATE ORGANIZATION PERSONNEL RULES. (For more information, see the last page in this package, "Proposed Revisions, Uses of the Standards.")

WHY ARE THE STANDARDS BEING REVISED?

The practice of historic preservation has evolved and matured since the Standards were first established in the 1970s, and it is appropriate to up-date them. In addition, Congress amended the National Historic Preservation Act in 1992, calling for the revision of the existing professional qualifications standards and the establishment of standards for additional disciplines.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE REVISION PROJECT?

• In keeping with Vice President Al Gore's "Reinventing Government," to provide States and local governments with the flexibility to respond to their needs by expanding board and commission expertise from among the broad spectrum of professional disciplines working in historic preservation.
• To up-date and expand the Secretary's "Professional Qualification Standards" within the context of contemporary historic preservation thinking and practice.
• To relate the "Professional Qualification Standards" specifically to work in historic preservation.
• To strengthen the credibility of work in historic preservation as it is viewed by professionals not only in each discipline, but also by others working in and associated with historic preservation.
• To provide guidance on recognizing appropriate skills and experience necessary for credible historic preservation work.

HOW ARE THE STANDARDS BEING REVISED?

The materials in this package represent one step in the continuing, lengthy revision process that will eventually result in an official notice in the Federal Register requesting comments, followed by subsequent revision and publication of the final version of the Standards. You will have several opportunities to participate in refining these draft Standards.

The National Park Service has spoken with a number of relevant professional societies, the Office of Personnel Management and other federal agencies, the Federal Preservation Forum, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, several State Historic Preservation Offices, local government historic preservation programs, American Indian Tribes, and the National Council on Preservation Education to identify issues. These discussions formed the basis for an initial draft revision of the Standards. We circulated this early draft to those we had spoken with, and asked for their feedback.

The proposed draft revision in this package is the result of that feedback. We recognize that this current draft does not represent all possible views on the subject. Therefore, we are now sending this out to a much wider range of groups and organizations for additional input. It is important that the views and opinions of those of you who have an interest in this subject are reflected in the final product. We encourage you to review these materials, talk with your colleagues in historic preservation, and share with us your views and opinions. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Sue Henry by phone (202-343-9514), by fax (202- 343-1836), via Internet (sue_henry@nps.gov), or in writing to Ms. Henry at the Preservation Planning Branch, Interagency Resources Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127