Masters, please enlighten me...

[The Virtuoso]

Guys, just a simple question... I am from Philippines and kinda confused when I read "scratcher vs pro artist stuff" in every forums I visit... What is the real difference between a Scratcher and a Pro? The way I understand it is, if you do not work or got apprenticed in a licensed and legit tattoo shop, it makes you a scratcher regardless how good or how sterile a tattooist is right? And if you work in a legit, licensed and registered tattoo shop, regardless how bad you tattoo, that makes you a pro... Am I correct on my observation guys? I want to know because I learned that there are some that tattoos from their home on a couch but they said they have BBP training and seminar and said that they are 100% sterile, which for me is kinda bulls&!t... The main reason why I want to know all of these is because I want to help educate as many tattoo artists here in Philippines regarding the difference of a Professional and a Scratcher (we call it "Underground" here)... I also want to see local artists be at par with the greats from abroad especially there in US... Man, how I love to see Filipino artists be featured in some of the greatest tattoo magazines... Hope that you guys can help... BTW, I work at Maweh Artworks Philippines, a legit, tax-paying, Dept of Health certified tattoo shop here in Manila... Hope to hear from you soon guys...