What do you really mean, when you say 'do they recognise it'?

If you want to actually be a game tester, you have to meet the requirements to be a game tester. A desire to work with games is part of that, but only one part. You can't just walk into the role.

If you want to actually be something else, like a programmer, artist, or designer, you have to meet the requirements for those roles. Already being in the industry as a tester may help. It may give you some experience that another candidate would lack. But you still have to meet the other criteria, i.e. whatever experience, knowledge, skills and education they want you to have.