diff --git a/src/entrypoints/api/routers/profile.py b/src/entrypoints/api/routers/profile.py
index a75820b..fdbe2a7 100644
--- a/src/entrypoints/api/routers/profile.py
+++ b/src/entrypoints/api/routers/profile.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ async def create_profile(
             legacy=dto.legacy,
         )
     except DuplicateProfileError as e:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=409, detail=str(e))
     except InvalidConfirmPasswordError as e:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
     except InvalidFormatEmailError as e:
diff --git a/src/entrypoints/api/tests/profile.py b/src/entrypoints/api/tests/profile.py
index fb09c6a..456990e 100644
--- a/src/entrypoints/api/tests/profile.py
+++ b/src/entrypoints/api/tests/profile.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ async def test_06_user_cannot_update_roles(self, client):
         )
         assert r.status_code == 403
 
-    async def test_07_create_duplicate_user_profile_returns_400(self, client):
+    async def test_07_create_duplicate_user_profile_returns_409(self, client):
         payload = {
             "email": "alice@example.com",
             "password": "Secret123!",
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ async def test_07_create_duplicate_user_profile_returns_400(self, client):
             "name": "Alice Dup"
         }
         r = await client.post("/profiles", json=payload)
-        assert r.status_code == 400
+        assert r.status_code == 409
         assert "already exists" in r.json()["detail"].lower()
 
     async def test_08_coach_cannot_update_user_profile(self, client):