This article discusses issues surrounding the status of special education teaching as a profession. First, the authors consider what makes an occupation a profession and examine the range of views of professions in American society. Second, the authors describe the evolution and developmental history of three established professions: medicine, law, and engineering. The authors then consider the developmental status of special education in relation to the histories of these three established professions. They conclude with a discussion of actions that will be necessary if special education teaching is to achieve the status of a profession.