When is an artist "competent"??

Thought I might open up a discussion on the topic...should encourage some interesting comments! When is an artist competent? Firstly, who is qualified to gauge the progress on a student/artist? Well, obviously I would suggest that a qualified tutor who has guided a student through ther principles of art, with all it contains, would be qualified to make that particular judgement on the individual. Then, of course, there is the opinions of those who view the artist's work. I guess they also can make a reasonable judgement as to whether the artist has achieved a level of competency too! However, I would venture to say, that before anyone makes that judgement, they should maybe have some qualifications themselves before forwarding any critical comment. Then, of course, there is the age-old statement that appreciation of work is in the eye of the beholder..and that is of course true! However, I would also forward the comment that, perhaps, any artist who has gained a high level of acceptance within the artistic community, in other words, has won acclaim at competitions, exhibitions and the like, who has been sought out to complete private commissions, and who makes his/her living through thier artistic endeavours, has certainly gained a level of competency! But to get back to a lower level, such as a student...if they, in my opinion, can address all the basic principles of creating an image on canvas/paper etc, and has satisfied thier tutor, then, to my mind, they have reached a level of competency! As I sometimes say to my own students......when, having faced a blank canvas, and finally created something from nothing, by applying all; the basics of preparation, then, to my mind they have already displayed a level of competency! Competency is a little like thre martial artist who eventually reaches his/her black belt, after years of study......now they will begin to learn!