[ArnieConan]

To answer the original question, maybe it's not necesary, but consider that virtually all successful traders had either training from a professional company such as a fund or they had a mentor. In many cases they had both.

The main problem with retail traders is they can't outlast the learning curve.

People hired to trade for firms are given about 2 years of training with small amounts and then they have to prove themselves before their accounts are given more money to trade. They have access to things that most of us can only dream about. Most importantly, they have access to years and years of experience residing within the people they work with.

The average retail trader blows out within 6 months. His education is just starting at that point, but he doesn't see it that way. He's been studying and working his butt off and he feels he's come a long way since he began, which may be true, but he doesn't know how long the journey truly is, so he misjudges his abilities and where he is on the learning curve.

A mentor will decrease the learning curve immensely. A good mentor will not promise to make you a successful trader. Instead, he will promise to show you how you can make yourself into a successful trader. Even with a great mentor, there is no guarantee of success.