When can someone call themselves a professional?
Does it have to be whenever you start getting paid for whatever work that you do or does someone else who has a higher position have to give you that title?

you know my acting teacher always said he felt that you couldn't call yourself a professional actor until you were doing is for at least 10 years. I always thought that was a good frame of reference. I don't think professionalism has anything to do with getting paid. I think it's about skill level and committment to that field for a certain amount of time.

Tricky question. Athletes are considered to be "professional" immediately after joining the NBA or NFL, for example. They may be immature 20 year olds and frequently get arrested but they're still considered professional. Even when they're not good players, they're considered professional because of their paycheck. Makes me wonder then who is a professional poet?