you know it when you see it.

Experience

Some people learn quickly, others it takes longer. Also, the type of interactions you have. Have a lot of bad experiences early on, and you can learn to be jaded very quickly.

Pick wisely, and you may never need to learn the dirty truths.

It's Like Being A Newlywed...Most People Think A Few Months, But Technically Lasts A Year...

so milk all the info you can from this board for a year and then you are expected to start giving back and sharing your wisdom as a bonafide hobbyist.

Best of Luck and Happy Hobbying!

Don't worry, there is no official designation. We in the hobby are not big on keeping records anyway.

When you feel like you are not a newbie anymore then you are not a newbie anymore.

That doesn't mean you still won't have something to learn.  I've been at this for 20 years and I'm still learning all the time.

Like the rest of the posters stated, there is no official time, just don't get over confident and take any risks. Always do your homework/research and you'll be fine.

It took me ten years, at least.

there is always something new to learn in this business from both ends. I find a new way of doing things all the time.  You will also learn that the longer you are here on the boards, reading , spending time with different people, you are learning about people and the ways they act and react.  Its always a learning process!!

Like others have said, there is no set time and we are all still learning stuff.  I started pretty late in life at this, and I still get nervous especially when meeting a lady for the first time.  Only been doing it for just under 3 years.

Swim