Advancing the Professionalization of Emergency Management: A National Exploratory Study Examining Perspectives on the Foundations of a Professionalized Field

This national mixed-methods exploratory study examines emergency management (EM) professionals’ familiarity, attitudes, and readiness regarding formal professionalization structures such as licensure, accreditation, standardized curricula, and national oversight. Amid increasing disaster frequency, escalating workforce turnover, and growing expectations for technical and ethical competence, the need for a formalized and coherent professional structure in emergency management has never been more urgent. Quantitative data were collected from 190 respondents through a national survey, and qualitative insights were generated through two follow-up focus groups. Results indicate that years of EM experience – not age, gender, or degree level – are significantly associated with greater familiarity with professionalization concepts. Broad support for licensure, accreditation, and unified oversight emerged across demographic groups, though participants expressed concerns about readiness, pathway clarity, authority, and uneven organizational capacity. Qualitative findings contextualized these trends by illustrating persistent fragmentation, inconsistent expectations, and the need for clearer structures to support a mature profession. Implications for policy development, accreditation efforts, and strategic planning are discussed. Given increasing disaster frequency and workforce instability, these findings provide timely guidance for shaping the national trajectory of emergency management professionalization.