Only individual PSA members may apply for Star Ratings and ROPA distinctions.
To achieve a Recognition of Photographic Achievement (ROPA), a PSA member must complete three general steps:
NEED ASSISTANCE? We have able consultants willing to help you navigate either the Star Ratings or ROPA programs: https://psa-photo.org/index.php?mentors-consultants (this page is only available to members who are logged in) |
New to PSA's Star Ratings/ROPA programs? Watch this pre-recorded webinar for a great overview of the process! Click the enlarge icon to see it full screen. |
STAR RATINGS PROGRAM
Images that are "accepted" for inclusion in an exhibition are eligible to be used by PSA members when applying for a PSA Star Rating. The Process Minimum Requirements for Star Ratings Certificates (see below) Fees The fee for each Star, Galaxy and Diamond rating is $12.
For further details refer to the “Application Fee” section of the Applications Instructions.
PSA Star Ratings Guidelines » Star applications in all Divisions now use the application processes described in these documents: Star 1-5 Application Instructions: pdf (updated March 24, 2020)
Star Ratings Application Spreadsheet: Excel (updated September 19, 2019)
Guidelines for Using the Star Application spreadsheet: pdf (updated September 2019) |
RECOGNITION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ACHIEVEMENT (ROPA)
Overview Star Ratings Certificates may be converted to ROPA distinctions, based on the number of acceptances that have been verified. There are six levels of distinction awards – Qualified (QPSA), Proficiency (PPSA), Excellence (EPSA), Master (MPSA), Master 2 (MPSA2) and Grand Master (GMPSA). The GMPSA distinction has five sub-levels. The Process Members must complete the online ROPA application. A word doc application is also available to use if the online application is not available. Online or emailed applications are preferred, but applications can be sent via snail-mail
Minimum Requirements for ROPA Distinctions (see below) Fees There is a $50 processing fee for each ROPA application, to be paid after the application is approved. For QPSA, PPSA, and EPSA applications, a paper copy Certificate will be issued. For all other applications, the member may choose to receive a paper copy Certificate OR a Plaque at the following fees (which includes the initial $50 application fee): Deadline ROPA applications can be made at any time of the year. PSA Journal and Website Listing The ROPA Distinctions that are approved each quarter are listed in the PSA Journal in March, June, September, and December and on the PSA website in January, April, July, and October.ROPA Photo Galleries Once a member's ROPA application is approved, the member may place up to 20 images (depending upon the distinction earned), a biography, and his or her portrait in a ROPA Gallery on the PSA website. When a member receives a new distinction, the ROPA gallery is updated and moved to the appropriate section. Members may add additional images to an existing gallery if they move from QPSA to PPSA or EPSA, EPSA to MPSA or MPSA2, or MPSA (MPSA2) to GMPSA and above. |
The Stars Buy Back and Bridging Buy Back systems are the processes by which members may use acceptances gained prior to joining PSA (or gained during a gap in membership) when they apply for Star, Galaxy or Diamond ratings.
For more information: Download PSA Stars Buy Back Rules pdf (updated July 2019).
How to Pay for Buy Back Fees:
To pay Buy Back fees (for acceptances gained prior to joining PSA), go to: www.psa-photo.org/index.php?new-member-stars-buy-back
To pay Bridging Buy Back fees (to pay for gaps in membership), go to: www.psa-photo.org/index.php?bridging-buy-back
Contact PSA's Membership Coordinator (membership@psa-photo.org) if you have any questions.
The Recognition of Photographic Achievement (ROPA) Awards of Distinction program was established in February 1997, for the purpose of recognizing Individual PSA member achievements in PSA-recognized international exhibitions. After receiving acceptances in international exhibitions, individual PSA members in good standing may apply for the various levels of ROPA distinctions. A scan of the latest qualifying certificate(s) from the PSA Division Star/Galaxy Directors (SRDs) granting Star or Galaxy ratings must accompany each application. (Only the highest-level certificate is required.)
There are six levels of distinction awards – Qualified (QPSA), Proficiency (PPSA), Excellence (EPSA), Master (MPSA), Master 2 (MPSA2) and Grand Master (GMPSA). The GMPSA distinction has five sub-levels. The number of acceptances required for each level is outlined here, and in the link (below) for Minimum Acceptance Requirements for Star Ratings Certificates and ROPA Distinctions.
DISTINCTION | MINIMUM NUMBER OF ACCEPTANCES REQUIRED |
QPSA | 54 |
PPSA | 288 |
EPSA | 700 |
MPSA | 1,500 |
MPSA2 | 2,250 |
GMPSA | 3,000 |
GMPSA/B | 5,000 |
GMPSA/S | 7,000 |
GMPSA/G | 9,000 |
GMPSA/P | 11,000 |
In order to qualify for the ROPA distinctions, you will need proof of acceptances in the form of Star Ratings Certificates from one or multiple PSA divisions.
PSA Membership Required:
All exhibitors applying for ROPA distinctions must be Individual PSA members in good standing. It is important that a recipient’s membership does not expire before the annual PSA Conference in September or October of each year.
Photo:
Photo of the applicant, head and shoulders only with blank background, and no hats or props, 768px vertical by 554px horizontal, 72ppi, jpeg (will be uploaded as attachment to form).
Fees:
There is a $50 USD processing fee for each ROPA application, to be paid after the application is approved. For QPSA, PPSA, and EPSA applications, a Certificate will be issued at no extra charge. For all other applications, the member may choose to receive a Certificate at no extra charge OR a Plaque at the following fees (which include the $50 application fee): MPSA, MPSA2 – $75; GMPSA – $100; GMPSA/B – $110; GMPSA/S – $120; GMPSA/G – $130; and GMPSA/P – $140.
Application Deadline:
There is no deadline for submitting an application for a ROPA distinction. Applications are processed throughout the year. ROPA distinction awards (certificates or plaques) are prepared and distributed on a quarterly basis. The awards are sent from PSA Headquarters in the month following each quarter. For those recipients who indicate that they will attend the annual PSA Photo Festival, the ROPA distinction award is presented at the Festival, unless the recipient chooses to have his award sent to his address after the quarter in which it is approved.
Information on ROPA Recipients:
Exhibitors are allowed to use their new distinction “letters” as soon as the recipient receives the distinction approval letter from the ROPA director. A list of all recent recipients of ROPA distinctions is published quarterly in the PSA Journal in March, June, September, and December of each year. In addition, photos of recent recipients are published quarterly on the PSA Website. Also, ROPA distinctions are updated on the PSA membership database within ten (10) business days following approval of each distinction.
All ROPA recipients are also encouraged to submit images of their work and a brief biography for display on the ROPA Galleries pages of the PSA Website if they do not already have one. Current ROPA or member galleries are moved to the most recent distinction. The number of images allowed in each ROPA Gallery varies with the level of the ROPA distinction. The breakout by distinction is below:
Submission of the Application:
Applications for ROPA distinctions can be submitted
1. online on the PSA website OR
2. by downloading the application form from the PSA Website and emailing the completed form along with the required photo and the supporting star/galaxy/diamond certificates to ropa-director@psa-photo.org (The online method is to be used if at all possible.)
ROPA Director Contact Information:
Updated: 02/19/2020
Processing
|
![]() Sharifa Khatri, MPSA, AFIAP· |
|
Processing PPSA
|
![]() Gabriele Dellanave, PPSA, BPSA· |
![]() Achinta Kumar Saha, APSA, GMPSA· |
Processing EPSA
|
![]() Herdis Halvas-Nielsen, MPSA2· |
![]() Suniel Marathe, GMPSA· |
Processing MPSA and
|
![]() Hoi Yan (Eva) Fong, APSA, MPSA2· |
|
Processing GMPSA,
|
![]() Phillip T.R. Kwan, GMPSA/P, GPSA· |
|
Minimum Requirements for STAR RATINGS CERTIFICATES |
Minimum Requirements for ROPA DISTINCTIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
The following are basic Guidelines, more detailed Guidelines are contained in the downloadable Instructions above.