What does it mean to be a professional?

An extensive literature on professionalism from many domains was reviewed to identify basic elements generally recognized as necessary for being considered a “professional”. The literature revealed six criteria generally recognized as being necessary of professionals; these criteria were used to define what is necessary of an ergonomics professional. The Foundation for Professional Ergonomics sponsored this position paper as a means to direct discussion about professionalizing the ergonomics discipline and to direct future activities for promoting professionalism and professional development within the ergonomics community.