What is .prof?
.prof entered the DNS root zone on September 15, 2014, 12 years ago. It came out of ICANN's New gTLD Program, the 2012 application round that grew the root from 22 generic TLDs to well over a thousand.
Charleston Road Registry Inc. operates a large portfolio of 46 TLDs, including .ads, .android, .app, .boo and .cal.
On the technical side, .prof is served by 5 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .prof, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP.
Same registry, other endings
45 other TLDs share this operator.
.prof FAQ
What does .prof mean?
.prof is a generic top-level domain named for the word "prof", and it's aimed at education & research. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .prof used for?
.prof is mostly used for education & research. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .prof?
None. .prof is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .prof domain extension?
Charleston Road Registry Inc. operates .prof as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .prof created?
.prof was delegated to the DNS root zone on September 15, 2014.
Is .prof a valid domain?
Yes. .prof is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2014, so .prof addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .prof domain?
.prof names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Charleston Road Registry Inc.'s policy if you're unsure.
Is .prof DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .prof.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed April 11, 2025. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
