What typically establishes a profession's applicable standard of care?

The correct answer is established by common practices within the profession. This is because the standard of care in a professional context is primarily determined by what is considered acceptable practice among members of that profession. When assessing whether a professional has acted with reasonable care, courts look to the norms and practices that are widely accepted in that field.

These common practices can include established protocols, guidelines, and conventions that professionals are expected to follow. This helps ensure that the actions taken by a professional are aligned with both the expectations of the profession and the protection of the public. The use of common practices provides a benchmark against which professional behavior can be measured.

While personal experience and general knowledge of the field may contribute to an individual's understanding of their responsibilities, they do not solely establish the standard of care. Additionally, while expert testimony can aid in clarifying what constitutes reasonable conduct within a given profession, it is not always mandated for establishing the standard of care; rather, it is the collective practices that provide the foundational standard.