.pro is a generic extension for professionals and the firms they run: consultants, accountants, therapists, engineers, tradespeople and freelancers. It was introduced in 2002 for credentialed professionals only, but since its 2015 contract renewal anyone may register one, for a term of one to ten years.
We're PD Hosting, a UK company in London and a Nominet accredited registrar. Your .pro is registered as soon as checkout completes, sits in your client area and is covered by our renewal reminders. Search for your name or practice below.
Per year. Compare every extension on our domain pricing page.
What is a .pro domain?
- Type
- Generic top-level domain, delegated on 8 May 2002. Source
- Registry
- Identity Digital Limited, under ICANN's standard registry agreement for .pro dated 1 October 2015. Source
- Who may register
- Anyone. The 2015 renewal removed the old registration restrictions that limited .pro to credentialed professionals. Source
- Owner obligations
- Owners must comply with applicable law, and those collecting sensitive health or financial data must keep it reasonably secure. Source
- Registration period
- Anything from one to ten years. Source
- Email verification
- After a .pro is registered or its contact data changes, we must get the owner to confirm their email address. Without a response inside 15 days the name is suspended. Source
Facts checked against the registry on 9 November 2026.
Who a .pro domain suits
.pro suits individuals and small practices who sell expertise: an independent IT consultant, a physiotherapist, a chartered surveyor, a wedding photographer, an electrician, an interior designer or a translator. The ending reads as "professional" in English and in many other languages, so it carries well for practitioners with international clients.
It also works for professional networks and training providers, and for anyone whose name is taken in .com and .co.uk but who wants an address that sounds more serious than a novelty ending.
- A consultant's or freelancer's website
- A professional practice such as a clinic or surveyor
- Professional email under your own name
- Training, coaching or certification services
Benefits of a .pro domain
Sounds serious
"Pro" is understood almost everywhere as professional, giving a practice or freelancer a credible ending without a long word.
Short and easy to say
Three letters, simple to spell over the phone and easy to fit on a business card or van.
Open to you whatever your field
With the credential checks gone, a sole trader or new practice can register a .pro without paperwork beyond confirming an email address.
From credentials required to open to all
When .pro launched in the early 2000s, it was restricted to credentialed professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants and engineers, and registrants had to show they held the relevant qualification. The rules were later loosened in stages, and when the registry agreement came up for renewal in 2015, ICANN's proposal removed the registration restrictions altogether.
In their place, the agreement carries ICANN's standard safeguards for sensitive strings. Registrars must tell owners at registration that they're required to comply with applicable law, including consumer protection and data rules, and owners who collect sensitive health or financial data must protect it with appropriate security.
The practical consequence is that a .pro no longer proves anything about qualifications. Clients who want reassurance will look for your professional body or regulator registration, so put your membership number, registration details or accreditations on the site. The ending gives you a professional tone; your credentials do the convincing.
.pro pros and cons
Works well if
- You're a consultant, freelancer or practitioner selling expertise
- Your clients are in several countries
- Your name is taken in .com and .co.uk
- You want a short ending that sounds professional
Look elsewhere if
- You need the domain itself to prove a qualification: since 2015, it doesn't
- Your clients are local to the UK: a .co.uk looks more familiar to them
- You run a large company brand: .com or .co.uk is the more expected main address
.pro compared with similar extensions
| Extension | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| .pro | Consultants and professional practices | Short, professional tone; no credential checks. |
| .co.uk | UK firms with local clients | Instantly recognised by British customers. |
| .com | International companies | Widely expected, but short names are scarce. |
| .services | Service businesses and trades | Describes the offer; longer to type. |
Register your .pro domain
- Search for the name you want below.
- Add it to your basket and choose how many years to register it for.
- Check out. Your domain is registered straight away and appears in your client area, ready to point at your website and email.
Every domain includes DNS management, DNS backup and restore, and free mail forwarding.
.pro questions
Do I need a professional qualification to register a .pro?
No. The credential requirement was removed when the .pro agreement was renewed in 2015, so anyone can register one. Owners must still comply with the law, and must protect any sensitive health or financial data they collect.
Does a .pro show clients I'm qualified?
Not on its own any more. It gives a professional impression, but clients who want proof will look for your regulator or professional body registration, so display it clearly on your site.
Is .pro good for SEO?
It's neutral. Google treats .pro as a generic domain with no country signal and no ranking bonus or penalty. Good content and links matter far more than the ending.
How much will my .pro cost from year two?
From the second year, a .pro costs £47.95 annually with us. That's more than the first-year price in the box at the top, so allow for it if you're building a long-term practice.
What is the email confirmation I receive after buying a .pro?
It's the owner verification ICANN requires of every registrar. Click the link within 15 days, because unanswered verifications mean we have to suspend the domain until the address is confirmed.
Sources: IANA .pro record · ICANN .pro registry agreement · ICANN public comment: renewal of the .pro agreement (2015) · ICANN Registrar Accreditation Agreement (WHOIS Accuracy Program Specification)
Navigation
Useful Links
Contact Us
- +44 (121) 828 8723
- [email protected]
- Office 403, Screenworks 22 Highbury Grove, London, United Kingdom, N5 2ER
Terms and Conditions · Privacy Policy
PD Hosting is the trading name of Projektif Digital Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 12482555.