To me, a professional has a shop and makes cakes full time (or almost) for a living. I have accepted money for cakes before but am in no way "professional." Did that even make sense?
I too am interested in replies to this question, as I have wondered this myself!
If you recieve money....you are professional. It has nothing to do with skill.
I agree. I'm a professional because I get paid to do what I do. The fact that I do it on a part-time basis has no bearing on whether or not I am a professional.
HTH,
Odessa
I wouldn't have ever expected that response. So as long as you get money for what you do, you're a professional? 
Idk, but I'm not buying that; I think it has to do a lot with skill. You wouldn't call yourself a lawyer if you got paid for teaching your neice how to drive, telling her the laws of the street, etc. Just my opinion.
But I guess that'll have to suffice until I get other answers. I see it your way in a sense, but I think it also has to do more with other things besides getting money- that's what I want to find out about. Thanks, though. 
You are also considered a professional if you teach cake decorating.
Theresa 
Hmm. Now that I think about it, I guess you're right. You can be a crappy lawyer but you're still a lawyer and hence a professional. You can be a crappy decorator, but if you're getting paid for what you do- you're a pro.
I guess what's confusing is when people say, "Wow, you're a pro," in reference to one doing something well. Thanks. My apologies for disagreeing "harshly" before.
I would honestly go with how some of the cake decorating competitions define it.
This is how the san diego cake club competition entry form defines professional :
Contestant is a past or present teacher/decorator for a commercial enterprise, baker or caterer or aperson in an allied field
If you get paid to decorate/bake the cakes then you are a professional. Once money is exchanged for your talent that is when you go from a hobby/craft to a professional.
Teaching decorating is the same. You are being paid for your knowledge and teaching so you are a professional teacher.
As far as the lawyer example that won't work. You have to practice law and have a degree plus pass a written test and have your license.
So while you can do other things with law and still be a professional you won't be called a lawyer. But there are many many bad lawyers out there. Being professional does not always mean you are good at your work.
As far as the lawyer example that won't work. You have to practice law and have a degree plus pass a written test and have your license.
You need a license to handle cakes,too, remember? (not being remotely sarcastic ) Hmmm....so now does the government tell us whether we are professional or not? I mean, after they license us?
On the other hand....a painter (like myself) is considered a pro the minute he/she sells a piece. (or works for money)
I guess the definition is not a constant. It truly depends on what type of professional you are referring to.
I think the definition of a professional listed earlier here is enough explaination. I feel if you get paid to do cakes you're a professional weather it be out of home (legally of course) or out of a shop.
I learned this from my clogging team also. Because we have earned money from a few shows, we are considered a professional team. (It doesn't hurt that we then went on to when state and national titles, but thats another story.)
My cake sales pay for my clogging lessons. So I suppose I could be called professional at both. Cool...
What sets apart a professional from a non-professional?
nglez, before you were confronted with this "description", how exactly would YOU have defined a professional? And now that you've seen some of our answers, does that change your definition?
Just curious,
Odessa
I found the following definition (via google) which describes what I believe to be a professional
A person who practices an occupation involving high standards of intellectual knowledge after successfully completing the required education and training.
Hence according to this, I am a professional Software Developer, but not a professional cake decorator, and I agree.
At the end of the day, if you feel you are a professional [wether you fit into someone else's definition of the word or not], then no one can tell you you're not, and vice versa 
JMHO
cheers
Nati
....playing devil's advocate here~~~~ LOL~~~~~ All locations do not require licensing.
))))))I was geting ready to say the same thing! I'm in Ohio, and we don't have to be licensed.
Most states do...........it was just a point, anyway...
I guess there are many different levels of professionalism. What is considered a pro in one part of the country, may not be true in another part of the same country. Different standards everywhere...
I agree with Jen ~ I do not consider myself a "professional", I do LOVE it though! Now, the work adven68 and a lot of the others on this site do.......DEFINATELY professional. That is one thing that is so great about this site, most all of the "pros" are willing to share and help others!
nglez, before you were confronted with this "description", how exactly would YOU have defined a professional? And now that you've seen some of our answers, does that change your definition?
Just curious,
Odessa
yes, i am also curious, nglez
I think the term "professional" can be quite subjective because to me it's more than just the exchange of money and the license. It's about the skill.
So, it's the total package.
As for the teaching aspect. I don't fully agree with that. What kind of teachers are we talking about? Because Wilton doesn't exactly have any qualms about hiring people that have only taken 3 months worth of classes. Are those teachers really "professionals" or more of hobbyists?
Either way, I tend to not get caught up with the whole labeling issue. I know I am not a professional, personally, but I know what I consider to be a pro.
angie
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%