What is a Professional Body

It is complicated

Professional bodies are dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of professions through developing, supporting, regulating and promoting professional standards for technical and ethical competence.
Professional bodies are concerned with the public benefit as well as the reputation of professionals. They aim to maintain and develop professionalism, thereby securing high quality professional services for society.
There are approximately 400 professional bodies in the UK. Together, they represent 13 million professionals.
Three different types of organisation make up the professional body sector:
• Professional associations
• Regulatory bodies
• Learned societies
Some occupations combine these functions into a single professional body, whilst in others they are clearly differentiated organisations.

A key factor is whether they are a regulatory body, and accreditation is required through them for anyone wishing to work in the field.

Across the UK there are over 160 professions that are regulated by legislation, by more than 50 regulators, in addition to a range of other professions regulated voluntarily. These professions, such as nursing and teaching, provide a wide range of employment opportunities. A regulated profession is one in which there are restrictions to pursuing the activities or a subset of activities of the profession, such as for doctors, and/or restrictions for using a professional title, such as the use of ‘architect’.

The most common example of a professional regulation is where an individual is required by law to register with a regulator in order to practise within that profession. This usually requires members to gain a qualification or carry out specialised training to demonstrate their capability in their chosen field. Regulation can also be done on a voluntary basis, for example where chartered professional bodies grant individuals the right to use a particular professional title, such as ‘chartered accountant’ in the UK.
The regulation of some professions is underpinned by specific legislation, such as nursing. The regulation of some other professions is managed voluntarily, without underpinning legislation, such as professions that are regulated by some Chartered Bodies.

There are different arrangements in place in different parts of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) for the regulation of certain professions, for example for solicitors, primary and secondary school teachers, and social workers. The distinctive approaches to the regulation of some professions in different parts of the UK reflect the differences in, for example, the justice and education systems.