History

The professional trade of house painting (which may refer to either exterior painting, or interior painting, and on a number of different surfaces) first developed in the Middle Ages, when the primary organization for tradesmen was the guild. The guild system was based on exclusive professional organizations, protected from competition by the state, that kept trade secrets, and recognized the professionals in the field–the earlier equivalent of accreditation. In Britain, for instance, there have been records of a Painters Guild from the 13th century onward.

The house painting profession was at this time dominated by the Master Painters, those within the guild system who have achieved recognition as professional painters, below whom were Journeymen and Apprentices. The only way one could practice in the painting business was by becoming an apprentice in a painters guild, and slowly advancing throughout the years, with the hope of one day becoming a Master Painter yourself.

Today, of course, the painting business looks a lot different, with many competing businesses, large and small, as well as independent painting contractors, who perform all kinds of painting jobs, from exterior painting and interior painting, to decoration, etc. (whatever each contract stipulates them to do).
Professional organizations for painting professionals still exist, of course, such as the Master Painters Institute in the United States, which is responsible for establishing certain business and professional standards for house painters and decorators.