As part of the Regional Service Sector Development, work is ongoing to harmonize legislation that governs provision of professional services. This work commenced in 2003, by developing a Model Professional Bill from which Member States would enact legislation for the various professions and make amendments where legislation already exists. The legislation once enacted should: (i) facilitate free movement of professionals; (ii) maintain the highest standards of service delivery in the CSME; and (iii) enhance international competitiveness of regional professionals so that they can exploit the various opportunities available in existing and emerging Free Trade Agreements.

A Draft Model Professionals Bill was developed by the Secretariat and the CARICOM Legislative Drafting Facility (CLDF). It consists of six parts dealing with matters related to (i) interpretation and definitions, in which the CARICOM national is defined; (ii) the establishment of a council; (iii) the requirements and procedures for registration and licensing; (iv) discipline; (v) offences and penalties; and (vi) miscellaneous provisions.

Consultations in the Draft Bill have been undertaken in all Member States with the exception of Haiti and Montserrat. Stake holders included; Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Veterinarians, Nurses and Midwives, Nutritionists and Dieticians, Dentists, Engineers, Architects, Management Consultants and Allied medical professionals at both national and regional levels.

The highlighted sections in bold indicate that no consensus has been reached.

Draft Model Professional Bill,  2010 : An Act to provide for the licensing and regulation of the practice of (Profession) in [country]