.pro

pro

Introduced	2004
TLD type	Generic top-level domain
Status	Active
Registry	RegistryPro
Sponsor	RegistryPro
Intended use	Business use by qualified professionals
Actual use	Internet & information technology professionals, consultants, real estate professionals, financial and accounting professionals, engineers, lawyers, communications professionals, medical professionals
Registration restrictions	Credentials of applicants are self-certified prior to registration
Structure	Second level .PRO domains are available to all government certified individuals and businesses
Documents	ICANN registry agreement
Dispute policies	UDRP, Qualification Challenge Policy (QCP)
Website	registry.pro

The domain name pro is a generic top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is derived from professional, indicating its intended use by qualified professionals.

History

The domain was originally launched in June 2004 with registrations restricted to lawyers, accountants, physicians and engineers in France, Canada, Germany, UK and the US.

In March 2005, the registrar EnCirca introduced its controversial ProForwarding service which enabled unverified individuals and businesses to register pro domains. Registrants then had thirty days to provide verified credentials prior to their domain being activated. Total registrations reached 6,899 by January 2008.

Following consultation with ICANN, the domain was relaunched in September 2008 with a wider remit to include government certified professionals in all countries.^[1] Registrants are required to self-certify their professional status and agree to terms of use before registration, then subsequently provide detailed license information.

Registrations

The official domain website describes the eligibility criteria as follows:^[2]

• Applicant provides professional services
• Applicant is admitted to or licensed by a government certification body or jurisdictional licensing entity recognized by a governmental body that regularly verifies the accuracy of its data.
• Applicant is in good standing.

The domain registry allows registration of second-level domains and third-level domains in the following second-level domains:^[2]

• Legal professions: law.pro, avocat.pro, bar.pro, jur.pro, recht.pro
• Accountancy: cpa.pro, aaa.pro, aca.pro, acct.pro
• Medical professions: med.pro
• Engineering: eng.pro

As of April 2011, the domains may be registered through 44 accredited domain registrars. In January 2011, the number of registered domains surpassed 100,000 [1]. As reported in April 2010, the majority of domains are registered in the United States (42%), followed by France (24%) and Russian Federation (5%).^[3]

See also

• Top-level domain
• Domain name

References

1. ^ "ICANN Unanimously Approves RegistryPro Proposal to Expand the .PRO TLD". 2008-05-14. http://www.tophosts.com/articles/007381.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Who can register a .PRO Domain name". http://www.registry.pro/pro/eligibility.shtml. 
3. ^ ".PRO Registry Operator’s Report, April 2010". ProRegistry. http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/monthly-reports/pro/pro-201004.pdf. 

External links

• RegistryPro
• Authorized .PRO registrar partners
• IANA delegation record