I knew many ladies in the DAR in the 70's who went to Washington, DC and took classes for a week at the Smithsonian and than I think they were registered Genealogists. I took 1/2 day with a National Archives during that time and it was wonderful. So that is the only one I know that has schooling behind it. However I guess if anyone has been at it for a lot of years and really know how to cut though and find just what they need they could call them selves professional. I find that with a lot of it -- it is good guesses. Anyway that is my 2 cents worth -- and that it more than like rated a little high.