The same could be said about learning to read, and yet we use that term often. I would say a person has learned to read once they are good enough to figure out

The same could be said about learning to read, and yet we use that term often. I would say a person has learned to read once they are good enough to figure out the pronunciation and definition of new words. You reach a minimum vocabulary set and using a dictionary or Google search becomes possible. I think you could apply the same standard to programming. You are always building your vocabulary and understanding, but anybody who has moved on from tutorials to actual building could be said to have "learned to program." The rest is just honing that skill.