ABSTRACT
Professionals derive their legitimacy from an expert knowledge base which sets them apart from lay people. They are sought out precisely because they are in possession of this expert knowledge. A significant proportion of this knowledge is technical knowledge, the acquisition of which is essential to performing the competencies involved in the given profession. Strict criteria are laid down as to what needs to be included in a professional education, where this education is to be provided, who is to provide the education, and how the training is to be assessed. Satisfactory completion of a professional education is usually marked by admittance to some form of register to denote that a certain standard has been achieved and that the person who has attained this standard has the requisite standards to practise.
