Professional
In general, a professional is someone who has a career in a particular profession. The term can also be used to describe an individual who has achieved certain educational and training standards that provide them with the knowledge, expertise and skills necessary to carry out their role effectively.
In construction, the term ‘professional’ is not taken to cover all levels of expertise and practice. Highly-skilled workers, such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, steelworkers, and so on, may be described as ‘trades’ or ‘craft’ workers, rather than professionals. A very broad, but increasingly inaccurate distinction that is often applied is that a ‘professional’ is engaged in a predominately mental activity while a ‘tradesperson’ is mainly engaged in physical labour.
Professions are generally occupations that require a prolonged period of education and training. They are often overseen by professional bodies who may accredit educational establishments and qualified professionals. Professional bodies may set standards of ethics, performance, competence, insurance, training and so on that must be met to remain within the profession. These are typically set out in a code of conduct.
In the construction industry, architects are also be bound by regulation. The ARB code of conduct which lays down the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of persons registered as architects under the Architects Act. In addition, if they are members of the RIBA, they will be subject to the requirements of the RIBA Code of Professional Conduct.
Professionals will generally hold professional indemnity insurance (PII), and are required to undertake continuing professional development’ (CPD) to ensure their skills and knowledge remain up-to-date. CPD has become a vital part of a professional career as a result of; continuous and accelerating changes in technology, regulations and procurement practices; increasing specialisation; and the complexity of the supply chain.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Best practice.
- Chartered institute.
- Code of conduct.
- Continuing professional development.
- Discipline.
- Employee.
- Professional conduct.
- Professional body.
- Professional practice.
- RIBA Code of Professional Conduct.
- RIBA professional conduct guidance.
- Standards.
- Trade contractor
- What is a Chartered Practice?
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.