professional association
Members share careers
A professional association is an organization that represents people working in a particular field or occupation.
Such groups typically set standards, provide certifications, offer continuing education, and advocate for their members' interests: the American Medical Association, the National Association of Realtors.
Membership may be voluntary or effectively required for practice in the field.
- licensing authorityEntity granting official permits
- credentialingVerifying professional qualifications
- board certificationFormal professional competency verification
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- chamber of commerceOrganization representing local businesses
continuing education · code of ethics · licensing · federations · occupation · regulation · industry standards · accreditation · charter · membership dues · endorsement · certification · annual conference · networking event · career advancement · ethics · peer review · apprenticeship
- academic bodiesacademy, institute, college, university, society
- Business Networksnetworking group, referral network, alumni network, chamber of commerce, LinkedIn
- professional organizationstrade unions, unions, guilds, trade group, syndicates
- worker groupsunion, labor union, trade union, guild, workers council
- organizationsorganization, organizations, company, companies, club
- membershipsmembership fee, membership card, gym membership, club membership, family membership
professional associationlabor union
Collective bargaining group
trade union · industrial union · craft union · organized labor · guild
professional associationonline forum
Internet discussion platform
professional associationsolo practitioner
Lawyer working alone
independent contractor · lone wolf · freelancer · non-member · outsider