Professional order

A professional order is an organization that regulates the activities and members of a profession.

Unlike a professional association or some trade unions, membership in a professional order is obligatory for members of the profession, since registration in the order is a necessary condition of practice of the profession.

Such associations have existed since before the 16th century. For example, the Royal College of Physicians received its charter in 1518, with the "power to grant licenses to those with actual qualifications and to punish unqualified practitioners and those engaging in malpractice".

In France, the oldest professional orders are the "bars" (in French: Barreau), which were created in the 17th century. Medical orders are more recent, but the creation of the Order of Physicians in France in 1940 is the culmination of fifty years of claim. The one in Belgium was created in 1938, while its Quebec counterpart, the Collège des médecins du Québec (Quebec College of Physicians) (CMQ), dates back to 1847.

A professional order is a legal person governed by private law with a public service mission, constituted by a law defining its public function and a decree by the Council of State giving it its status.

Under the pressure of the World Trade Organization, relayed by the European Union, many liberal professions tend to be deregulated, being seen as obstacles to free trade. On the other hand, many lobby groups propose that certain professions should be supervised by professional orders for better protection of the public. In addition, some professional associations claim the status of a professional order to demonstrate professionalism and distinguish themselves from professions not controlled by the professional system.