Professional and Business Services

The sectors comprised within the professional and business services (PBS) industries pertain to professional, scientific, and technical activities that provide expert support to other industries. The numerous fields in this industry are connected by their reliance on highly skilled labor, and workers often require advanced degrees or certifications. An important contributor to employment and economic growth, private sector professional services in the United States contributed $2.6 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2015. Key professional services sectors include accounting, legal, management consulting, education, and architecture and engineering services. 

PBS activities are regularly subject to licensing, certification, and other registration requirements to ensure specialist are properly qualified. Many such requirements ensure quality and efficacy of service, but complex and opaque regulations often pose unfair restrictions on services trade.

The Office of Supply Chain, Professional and Business Services at ITA addresses policy and regulatory issues to ensure that U.S. professional services suppliers can provide their services across the globe.