Did I get expired from Novice Network?

[Jijifli]

You get removed after 168 played hours AND completion of the ARR main story when you enter Ishguard.

It is totally possible to make it to 60 and end game content and still have the novice icon if you do it within the 168 hours.

I've taken mutiple characters to Ishgard for the laughs. Every time I finish ARR it puts a message on my screen, stating that I've advanced far enough into the game where I don't need to be considered a novice anymore, and removed the sprout.

This will happen to 99% of players, the other 1% somehow broke the system and kept their sprout.

[Canadane]

False. I got mine removed after HW and my play time was well below 168hrs

I've taken mutiple characters to Ishgard for the laughs. Every time I finish ARR it puts a message on my screen, stating that I've advanced far enough into the game where I don't need to be considered a novice anymore, and removed the sprout.

This will happen to 99% of players, the other 1% somehow broke the system and kept their sprout.

They have changed the way it works a few patches back.
It's absolutely possible to be farming Zurvan Ex as a novice just because you did it in under 168 hours.