The article examines the structure and content of professional competence as the basic level of education of a teacher.Social realities and the trends in education reflecting them are characterized by the focus on specialists who are competent in their field and who have a professional pedagogical culture. Modern conditions of the educational process contain a new potential for professional development: the variability and flexibility of the educational system contributes to the optimal choice of an individual educational path and permanent professional growth. Building the logic of professional development should proceed from the laws of the educational process and the formation of the teacher's personality.