Sorry – should be more clear: What I mean to say is that there isn't a fixed definition of becoming "an engineer." One's level of expertise and proficiency is defined by the hirer... It's not for me to judge, especially in the abstract, what it takes. If an employer thinks you're qualified, then you're qualified.

What's happening in the market right now is that people who may not have previously been considered qualified are now considered qualified. This is because there's so much demand.