I would recommend that you study chess everyday and play many many games before you even think about moving up to the big leagues, son.
When to get rated?
Sort:
There's no problem playing right now, judging by your Standard Rating I would recommend however probably playing in a U1400 section, although you can always try higher. OTB competitions are far, far more intense then 15 minute, even 30 minute online games, and you will feel fatigued in later rounds.
If you want to win however, they can be even more intense, a single loss can you knock you out for first place, and two losses, the whole prize bracket.
OTB tournaments are the best for learning however, although i've found at least when switching from OTB to Online Format, that there's a bit of a difference in view point, which may affect your play depending on how used you are to one or the other.
At some point I would like to start playing rated games in either the USCF or FIDE, but I'm a little unsure about when to start the journey. My ultimate (and perhaps longterm) goal would be to gain a title. Would it be in my best interest to go ahead and start playing now, or try to improve quite a bit before playing rated games? Mind you, I'm in no rush.