That's adding some rather subjective baggage to the term "profession".
I think the only thing really stopping software development from becoming a formal profession is a standardized code of ethics (of which there are several proposed) and a professional body to govern it (and let's face it, professional bodies can exert power to satisfy immoral agendas, much like unions).
Then:
Professionals are allowed and expected to dedicate about half their working time to career development and continuing education. Many software engineers will get fired if they get caught in that.
This is pretty much false.
Honestly, given all of this, I don't even think software development becoming a profession is desirable at all.
I think the only thing really stopping software development from becoming a formal profession is a standardized code of ethics (of which there are several proposed) and a professional body to govern it (and let's face it, professional bodies can exert power to satisfy immoral agendas, much like unions).
Then:
Professionals are allowed and expected to dedicate about half their working time to career development and continuing education. Many software engineers will get fired if they get caught in that.
This is pretty much false.
Honestly, given all of this, I don't even think software development becoming a profession is desirable at all.