Do you need one to buy and use the equipment?
It is against the law to operate a Ham radio without a license.
It is NOT like CB was.
There is no law that I am aware of that says you cannot buy a Ham radio. (Some people do in order to listen) Manufacturers of Ham radio equipment and reliable dealers will not sell you one if they know you are not licensed.
I got my first license in 1976. Was living in Western NM, drove to the FCC field office in Dallas, TX to take the exam. I failed the 13 WPM code test, but copied enough that they gave me credit for 5WPM and a Technicians license. I went back 3 months later and passed the code test and the Advanced license written exam. Once I had passed the exam I ordered a 550 Watt HF transceiver, it gave me time to get the equipment set up while I waited to receive the license in the mail. Had a understanding with an operator in my hometown in Texas that I would phone him when I received the license. He was my first contact. He is gone now, he was first licensed in 1929.
There are penalties for breaking the law, it is largely policed by Ham’s themselves. The FCC no longer gives the exams, it is done most often by local ham clubs. They are administered by approved volunteer examiners.
My advice? Find a local ham club, get a license. The breadth of equipment available and the number of facets to the hobby is so broad that you really do need advice when starting out. It is a friendly community.