Asslamu alaikum Davidovitch, StrengtheningMyDeen, and others, This is a very interesting question. You appear to ask how one becomes a professional teacher of Islam? What is an "alim" but a professional teacher? And a professional teacher, especially in our times, is also a professional learner. Traditionally, one became a scholar through study and then recognition by other scholars. It meant that you participated in a learning community and your place would be granted in recognition of your contribution to that community. You contribute by adding something that is of unique value to that community of students - the scholars. It was not so much a job as a way of life. You are what we call today, a life long learner. If you are a doctor or an engineer or some other profession, then you undergo a period of rather intensive training and then you go and get a job, supposedly using what you learned. Your training is pretty much over when you enter the profession. Teaching is not like that. To my mind, the best intention one could have is to contribute something to a community. You do not need to be a card-carrying "imam" to do that, and you may not want to be. It is your contribution that matters, not your badge or your hat. Getting a job is excellent advice. Make it something you love. Then keep studying whatever attracts you and contribute something, no matter how small. Salaam, Abu Marwan