What is "professionalization"

n. The act or process of professionalize, or becoming professional. (from 20th c.)

n. the social process whereby people come to engage in an activity for pay or as a means of livelihood; "the professionalization of American sports"; "the professionalization of warfare" [syn: professionalisation]

Professionalization, also called credentialism, is the social process by which any trade or occupation transforms itself into a true " profession of the highest integrity and competence." This process tends to result in establishing acceptable qualifications, a professional body or association to oversee the conduct of members of the profession and some degree of demarcation of the qualified from unqualified amateurs. It is also likely to create " occupational closure", closing the profession to entry from outsiders, amateurs and the unqualified.