Does my iPad Pro 3rd generation WIFI cellular require a SIM card from a provider to use the telephone function?

An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or Messaging features. An iPad with Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. An iPad is not, and can never be, a standalone substitute for an iPhone.  If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.

However, If paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features. For the most part, an iPad using Continuity is able to access Cellular calling features, of the iPhone, when both the iPad an iPhone are in close physical proximity and are connected to the same WiFi network - but this is not the end of the story.

Now, if your both your Cellular Carrier and your calling plan support WiFi Calling, your iPad can make and receive calls independently of the iPhone - even when the iPhone is switched off, elsewhere, or using a different WiFi network. Not all carriers support full WiFi calling.

More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:

Continuity

Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support

SMS/MMS Messaging

How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support

WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support

When correctly configured, the iPad FaceTime App provides access to Cellular Voice Calling features - whilst Messages supports SMS/MMS messaging services.

So, in conclusion, if your own Cellular Carrier and tariff support WiFi Calling, it is theoretically possible to configure WiFi Calling service for your iPad. After WiFi Calling is enabled and configured, your iPad can continue to make and receive cellular calls independently of your iPhone whilst connected to a WiFi network.

I hope this information and clarification is helpful in understanding the capabilities of both your iPad - and if you have one, your iPhone.

The only telephone function is if you also have an iPhone. See: Make and receive calls on your Mac, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

That requires (per the above link):

• Each device has Wi-Fi turned on.
• Each device is connected to the same network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

No iPad is an iPhone/smart phone. None!

iPads, alone, cannot make cellular phone calls.

iPads have cellular DATA functionality to be able to access the Intenet over cellular connectivity and for a precise GPS navigation device.

To use your iPad for cellular calls requires your iPad to be paired/tehthered to an iPhone with the iPhone setup for call and message forwarding.

iPad acts a remote device for the iPhone in this manner.