How to become Real estate Professional alongwith W2 job?

[Namal Burman]

Folks,

I am about to acquire my 4th property in San Diego in this market now(1 SF, 1Condo,2 Townhome). I work full time at a local Chip( hint people think i work at Stadium) company as an Telecom engineer for last  20 years and still love the work i do and hopefully they don't fire me. I love San Diego and also like doing Real Estate in San Diego. i am planning to figure out how to become a real estate professional along with keeping my W2 job as long as the Stadium Company does not fire me. i want to have a backup as my spouse also have a W2 and so if i get laid off i can be then consider full time real estate professional and then focus completely on my RE journey. What should i pursue for next year or so to become a real estate professional any suggestion other then getting real estate license? Any other interesting profile in real estate i can pursue for next  year or so to be considered as real estate professional other then becoming an agent?

Any guidance is appreciated?

Regards,

namal