professional

Professional is an adjective describing work that requires specialized knowledge, formal training, and adherence to standards. It can also refer to a person who earns a living in a specific occupation that is typically regulated or recognized by a governing body.

Professionalism is the set of behaviors and attitudes that define how a professional conducts work. It includes competence, integrity, accountability, confidentiality, courtesy, and effective communication, as well as adherence to ethical codes and commitment to ongoing learning.

Professionalization is the process by which a vocation becomes a recognized profession through standardized education, credentialing, licensing, and the establishment of professional bodies. This history includes formal training programs, examinations, and the development of codes of ethics and practice standards.

Credentialing and regulation: many professions require licenses or certifications to practice. Professional associations issue codes of ethics, grant credentials, and oversee discipline. Examples include medicine, law, engineering, teaching, dentistry, and accounting; in other fields, credentials may be voluntary or hierarchical.

Use and perception: in contemporary usage, "professional" often signals reliable performance and appropriate conduct in the workplace. The term emphasizes expertise and responsibility more than job title, although cultural expectations of professionalism can vary by sector and region.