The article considers professional competence as an indicator of a student's psychological readiness for professional activity. It is determined that the formation of professional competence and psychological readiness will provide stability to a young specialist for successful adaptation and socialization to the conditions of professional activity. It is noted that competence is an integral personal quality that combines the range of knowledge and psychological readiness for professional activity, which is provided by the knowledge gained while obtaining higher professional education and experience, both life and gained during internships. The author's definition of the concept of professional competence is given it is a personal formation that is formed based on theoretical knowledge gained during university studies, practical skills gained during internships, and personal qualities of students. The development of professional competence, in our opinion, is influenced by the following factors: the level of development of technology, science, education, information and communication technologies and the economy, as well as the processes taking place in modern society. It is characterized that psychological readiness for professional activity is manifested in full readiness to organize the implementation and regulation of one's professional activity. The formation of psychological readiness for professional activity is influenced by the following factors: an established system of methods and goals in the system of vocational education; mastering professional knowledge and skills; involvement of students in educational and industrial practice, during which the needs, values, interests, and motives for acquiring significant modern knowledge and skills are formed. A model of professional competence has been developed, which includes the following components: motivational, substantive, operational, communicative, emotional, and volitional, and cognitive. It is concluded that professional training in the specialty is a crucial stage in the formation of the personality of a future professional. An important role is played by the former professional competence because it indicates the level of psychological readiness for professional activity.