# Costa Rica professional membership reform debate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rica-professional-membership-reform-debate > Updated: 2026-08-30T17:54:22.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Marta Esquivel Rodríguez, a deputy from the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), introduced legislative bill 25.747 in Costa Rica to eliminate mandatory professional membership for most liberal professions. Under this proposal, individuals with academic degrees from recognized universities could practice their profession without joining a professional college, provided foreign degrees are recognized through the Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE). The bill maintains mandatory membership only for roles impacting public safety, health, or life. These exceptions include medical specialties, legal representation and notary functions, and specific engineering disciplines such as civil, structural, and electrical engineering. The proposal has initiated a debate regarding professional oversight. Critics and analysts have questioned how regulation would function for non-affiliated practitioners, specifically concerning which body would be responsible for disciplining or disqualifying professionals to ensure public protection. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-30: Costa Rica debates reform of mandatory professional membership Costa Rica is debating legislative bill 25.747, which proposes reforming mandatory professional membership to a risk-based model, raising questions about future regulatory oversight. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rica-debates-reform-of-mandatory-professional-membership ### 2026-08-28: Marta Esquivel proposes bill to end mandatory professional membership Costa Rican Deputy Marta Esquivel has proposed a bill to eliminate mandatory professional college membership for most liberal professions, except for specific high-stakes roles in health, law, and engineering. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marta-esquivel-proposes-bill-to-end-mandatory-professional-membership --- Cite as: Costa Rica professional membership reform debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rica-professional-membership-reform-debate