The construction industry is rapidly advancing technologically, with robotics playing a vital role in enhancing project efficiency, safety, and productivity. However, the industry faces a shortage of skilled technical workforce to advance the implementation of construction robotics. This can be due to the shortage of construction professionals who identify with implementing robotics in the industry. Hence, to prepare the future workforce in this field, it’s crucial to develop students’ professional identities, as their identities (self-perception) often correlate with career persistence, career success, and retention in the field. Likewise, high career identities among students also correlate with successful performance in future construction roles. As a first step to addressing this, it is imperative to investigate the practices of professionals who identify with the implementation of robotics in the industry. This study investigates the professional identity practices of industry experts utilizing autonomous robots, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in the industry. Guided by social practice theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with industry professionals who identify with construction robotics to elucidate the professional practical applications, actions, and steps taken in the deployment of UAVs on construction sites. This study provides the professional practices needed for students to identify as professionals who utilize UAVs in the construction industry. The findings reveal key technical skills in regulatory knowledge, operational flight skills, and data processing expertise. By bridging the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations, this study contributes to workforce development by elucidating the professional identity practices needed to advance robotics in construction.