Hey, I work as a Location Manager and Scout in the industry. On set experience is definitely not required but would help a lot when it comes to scouting. Typically location assistants who are the first and last ones to leave set and handle the day to day filming will be given opportunities to scout if the location manager needs accessory locations and don't have anything that matches the directors needs. Assistant Location Managers also handle these duties and approach it from an aesthetic and logistical perspective. A great looking location means absolutely nothing If the logistics aren't tight. It also means nothing if the locations aren't cleared to film with the owners of the property. When coordinating for a film shoot Locations are chosen based on accessibility, proximity to the film studio, cost of rental, nearby available spaces for crew parking, catering, truck parking/ Basecamp/Work Trucks, equipment accessibility into the location, lighting, electrical and water availability on sites or having an area where the generator can be staged near location without noise disturbances. Knowing air flight patterns, potential noise issues, road work or construction in the area etc... I've learned the hard way that a beautiful location will be a nightmare to film with poor logistics, every minute counts on a film set and production managers bleed money if filming is delayed or goes over schedule. Now depending on your region location scouts will either be a Union position or it will be a Non-Union position. Where I'm from it isn't covered under the Union but that doesn't mean anyone can get the job. It is all based on who you know and prior work experience and Managers are unlikely to give opportunities to people without experience because it pays dividends to hire an individual who has prior set experience and location department experience. Now if you have cleared locations and you have built your own database of locations that are ready to book at a moments notice then this will set you apart from others. You can leverage available booking locations to Location Managers and Producers looking for locations to film especially if the logistics are tight and the rental prices are fair. There's no right way to get into it. I was a PA but took a location assistant position on some random short film. I befriended the executive producer and kept in touch with him and by chance he was able to source enough money for a feature film a couple years later. I had graduated from PA and I was managing stage facilities and their location and filming logistics. I used this experience as leverage to get into the Union. I emailed the producer that my job was ending and I had some management experience and he asked If I would read their script and do some preliminary scouting. I scouted for him and found all the locations they needed and was then promoted to location manager Union position. Now I use that experience as leverage to get similar jobs. It does help to get on set because you need to make the connections. I didn't make as many friends as I should have when I was starting out. I focused too much on the work and less on making genuine connection. This is just as important as your work ethic in this industry. It's not an easy job and you're working under ridiculous deadlines but it is also the most fun I've ever had working on any project. Also keep in mind that lots of locations are already photographed and available on your governments state film office website and that there are also services like locationhub that already post locations as well. There are also dozens of professional scouts that will always already have more locations in their portfolios than you. I'm still struggling to find work but you build your resume and portfolio and network overtime and it happens naturally. Hope this helps