What must recognized professions demonstrate according to the criteria?

Recognized professions must demonstrate proficiency and training standards to validate their legitimacy and ensure a certain level of competency among their members. This criterion ensures that practitioners have the necessary education, skill set, and ethical grounding required to provide services effectively within their field. Proficiency reflects not just knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge in practice, while training standards help maintain an organized and systematic approach to professional development.

The presence of professional awards, although it may signify achievement, does not establish the foundational competencies required for a profession to be recognized. A governmental license is important in many cases but is more about regulation rather than the inherent qualities of proficiency and training. Public popularity, while it might indicate a profession's reach or acceptance, has no bearing on the professional standards required to ensure quality and ethical practice. Therefore, the focus on proficiency and training standards aligns best with the criteria for recognized professions.