A contemporary of my daughter (aged 22), is training to be a professional genealogist.
She graduated last year with a degree in Classics and is currently doing a Masters in Genealogical Studies. After that you can apply to The Board for the Certification of Genealogists for credentials and/or accreditation. To do this you have to have done at least a thousand hours of genealogical research and submit written evidence of your research. To get accreditation, you have to submit the same evidence but also undertake an additional research project. There are further qualifications available, such as the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies Licentiateship, Diploma and Higher Certificate.
Although these qualifications are not obligatory, since anyone can set themselves up as a 'professional', someone who does have them can prove they've actually studied the subject in some depth and know what they're talking about - rather than an enthusiastic amateur who charges an arbitrary figure per hour for a so-called professional service.
Anyone thinking of employing a professional would do well to ask what formal qualifications they have.
