As more occupations claim ‘professional’ status there is an increasing need to examine the nature of professionalism from an academically robust sociological perspective.

This paper commences by arguing that professionalism is a continuum of various traits determined by reference to the characteristics of various historically powerful professions. Alternative theories of professionalism are then critically examined to produce a framework for analysing the surveying occupation. One key factor in determining occupational status is the presence of ethics, both codified (in terms of
codes of conduct) and non-codified (expected behaviour). Evidence is offered to suggest that over time introduction of ethics and morals into the surveying curriculum can have an impact on prospective members of the surveying occupation.

Drawing on a range of evidence, this paper argues that if surveyors wish to defend and enhance their status, practitioners must become more aware of the complexities of moral and ethical frameworks and fully understand what it means to be a member of a profession.