i recently signed up at a boxing gym but they told me i need a license to spar
i'm just wondering if i can just go to a bjj gym and start sparring to get fighting experience.
Depends on where you go. Im going to be all the way honest with your right now, friend.
When you enter a jiujitsu gym you are required to sign a waiver for your life. How many people have i seen die? Zero. What have i seen.
Broken/dislocated fingers/toes
Broken wrists
Broken knees
Terrible sprains
Corneal Abrasions
Spinal injuries
Neck injuries
Broken ribs
Who are these people who get hurt ? New students. This is not some joke art. Many times sparring is done as live as possible and this leads to injuries. In the hands of the untrained the risk for injury rises. 2 new students sparring together is a derailed train. Mostly strength and rage You have to get your mat time in regardless but under surveillance where someone can tell you to chill to avoid injuries and improve your game you will appreciate it.
When you go into these gyms the first hurdle you face is your pride and ego. You will want to win and crush everyone. At the same time you dont know what you're doing, how to land, when to stop, when to tap, etc. Often times this leads friends to injuries from insignificant - career ending.
I say all this to say, recieving instruction and sparring in a controlled environment is safer. If you just walk in a gym off the street they'll probably make you sit out for sparring the first time. Other schools will throw you to the wolves, but to wolves that will give you a workout and keep you safe while telling you what you should and shouldnt be doing.
If you just want to spar you can probably walk into any gym and do a free class and ask the teacher if you can spar. Every gym has time before and after class for sparring so if you join you can get a lot of important mat time to just practice, experiment and spar. You will exert so much energy you will probably sit out fairly quickly especially after you get tapped out a few times combined with fatigue. At least in the beginning. I sparred for over an hour last night.
There are people who teach classes outside of the academy structure which is typically No Gi and with them there are usually less care given to the safety of students.
Good luck, Brazillian Jiujitsu will change your life.
Edit.
You can also enter any brazillian jiujitsu tournament if you just want to spar with people. You dont need a license. They are easy to find with google. The boxing instructor told you you need a license to actually get a fight or to take lessons and spar?