Anyone who says they are a professional photographer is a joke. There is not test, no standard, you dont need a degree to work in the field. Its an art form that artist use the word pro to justify themselves.
The word professional is used too often in this field. I know people who shoot on the side that do better work than full time shooters. A pro might be considered by one who makes 100% of their income through photography - yes hard to argue that in a financial sense.
Think of it this way Jackson Pollack is a famous artist - for what splatter paint? Then look at Monet and his work - amazing. Photography is an art and its how one person wants to portray to the public.