Have picked up a guitar, played a note and smiled.

I can’t remember who wrote it, but there’s a short essay by a Japanese noise rock artist (maybe Agata from Melt Banana?) on ‘How to be a guitarist’ and it basically says ‘Get a guitar. Tune it if you like but this isn’t necessary.’ So, yeah: that’s about where I’m at on the question.

If you ever try, or even have tried, good enough.

Anyone can call themselves a guitarist but there are only half a dozen Certified Guitar Players.

Don’t worry about labels - stick with the hobby, it’s good for ya.

Said person has a guitar and is playing it. That’s it.

Just try. Good, bad, in the middle. Play it and love it.

Trying to define this or answer this question is an exercise in futility.

If you feel comfortable calling yourself a guitarist, poof-- you are one, regardless of what anyone else says. I wish I’d deeply bought into this decades sooner. Comparisons are odious. Rock on.

I started playing when I was 10 years old in 1966. I have been a guitarist the entire time. I am slightly better now, though.

They should be able to play at least 1 song.

Don’t really think there’s a minimum - sure maybe you ought to have picked up a guitar but there’s no minimum proficiency for creative arts.

yeah, pretty much what blackstrat said. If someone can pick up a guitar, and play it!

Answer is probably different if you’re trying to hire a guitarist for something or if you’re trying to decide whether some random person is a guitarist.