In 2009 the American Fisheries Society published Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes, which was developed through a collaboration of 284 biologists from 107 state, provincial, federal, local and private agencies and organizations across Canada, Mexico and the United States.  This work provides AFS standard recommendations for sampling freshwater fishes, thus improving the ability for North American fisheries scientists to communicate and compare data across agencies, regions or time ranges on a continental scale. Since the publication of the book, much additional work has been conducted on AFS standard methods.  Scientists from various states, provinces and nations will discuss recent progress on validating and calibrating the standard techniques; developing web-based programs for comparing standard data; opportunities for data sharing worldwide; incorporating updates in techniques, and adoption of standard techniques. This symposium will allow an interchange among North American fisheries scientists to provide direction for future incorporation and development of standard techniques. A symposium on the AFS North American standard sampling program is directly related to the theme of the Twin Cities AFS conference: Fisheries Networks: Building Ecological, Social, and Professional Relationships.  Currently we have 12 talks committed from speakers from Canada, Mexico and the United States.  We would like to open the symposium to others if the symposium is approved.