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 involve 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 creates an "
occupational closure", closing the profession to entry from outsiders,
amateurs and the unqualified.