professional
n. person who works in a skilled occupation, specialist
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return
IMO You don't have to possess license to be a professional. Not even in the dictionary was there ever mentioned professionals means possessing a valid license .. that's just crap
I excel at what I do, I pretty know my craft by heart and I'm confident rendering services for an individual or corporation -- I am a professional!