Isn't your experience in gaining your 50 ton license like any other
educational or training experience you have had? The education or training
exposes you to the subject and then tests you to ensure that you have a
minimum amount of knowledge in that subject. In most cases the education or
training teaches you the lexicon of the subject. That is the entry point.
Only experience and further study will make you truly proficient. Examples:
undergraduate education; medical education; any apprentice program in the
trades; diamond cutter; captain; etc.

That's how I see it IMHO.

Charlie