The Division of Professional Development is in charge of the educational and training activities of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). This entails coordinating the efficient and effective work of the Competence-Based Training in Intensive Care in Europe (CoBaTrICE) project, the Clinical Training, the E-learning and the Examination Committees. The work done by the Division of Professional Development is branded under the umbrella of the ESICM Academy. The author presents a short history of each committee. Goals, targets and recent achievements will be systematically discussed. The ESICM is a scientific society historically founded on research and innovation. ESICM is currently playing a key role in accreditation, training and regulation of the free movement of specialists in Europe. In this context, ESICM is working very closely with the Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) in Brussels. The UEMS is an advisory board of the European Parliament. The Division of Professional Development has a complex and dynamic structure. Evolution of training, accreditation and minimum competence will support safe and free movement of specialists in Europe. © 2015, Netherlands Society of Intensive Care. All rights reserved.