Professional development of specialists is an independent type of professional development, and is held according to the profile of the obtained education of a specialist. Professional development is fulfilled by educational institutions of professional development and institution subdivisions of secondary and higher education using the additional professional education programs of two types, one of which assures the development of specialists’ knowledge for being capable to fulfill new types of professional activities; the second one is designed for obtaining additional qualification.

Professional development aimed at obtaining additional qualification is lead using subsidiary professional education programs, which are formed in accord with the minimal state professional program contents requirement and the requirements of a specialist to obtain an additional qualification, established by the Board of Education of the Russian Federation jointly with other federal institutions of exe­cutive authority within their competence. Professional development is implemented for the specialists who mastered one of the core educational programs of higher or secondary vocational education for which the present additional qualification is provided.

Subsidiary professional education programs aimed at obtaining additional qualification may be mastered at the same time with the core educational programs of the areas or specializations of higher or secondary vocational education [i.a.w. the order of Board of Education of Russia #2571 from 06.09.2000].