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Compare Popular Securities Exams
There are six common securities licensing exams. Each one opens a different career path, requires a different amount of study time, and has different sponsorship rules. The wrong choice costs you weeks of preparation for a license that doesn’t match your career. This page gives you the complete comparison — specs, difficulty, career path, and honest study-time estimates — so you choose the right exam the first time.
Find the Right License for Your Practice
Every securities licensing exam — what it covers, who needs it, and how to pass it first attempt.
Click any exam to see the full breakdown: benefits, career pathway, salary data, why candidates fail, and the course that gets you through it. GreenLight Guarantee on everything.
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All 6 securities licensing exams — the complete comparison.
Use this table to find the exam that matches your situation. The two columns that matter most for most candidates: "Sponsor required" (which determines whether you can take it before getting hired) and "Best for" (which tells you whether the license matches your target career).
| Exam | Purpose | Sponsor Required | Questions | Time Limit | Passing Score | Difficulty | Best For | Recommended Study Hours | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SIE SIE Exam |
Entry-level knowledge of the securities industry | ✕ No | 75 | 1 hr 45 min | 70% | ★★☆☆☆ Easy | Students, career changers, aspiring financial professionals | 60–90 | Buy Now |
|
6 Series 6 |
Sell mutual funds, annuities, UITs and insurance products | ✔ Yes | 50 | 1 hr 30 min | 70% | ★★★☆☆ Moderate | Insurance & investment representatives | 50–80 | Buy Now |
|
7 Series 7 |
Sell stocks, bonds, ETFs, options and mutual funds | ✔ Yes | 125 | 3 hr 45 min | 72% | ★★★★★ Hard | Stockbrokers & Financial Advisors | - | Buy Now |
|
63 Series 63 |
State securities law qualification | ✕ No | 60 | 1 hr 15 min | 72% | ★★★☆☆ Moderate | Representatives working with clients in individual states | 25–40 | Buy Now |
|
65 Series 65 |
Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) | ✕ No | 130 | 3 hr | 72% | ★★★★☆ Hard | Fee-only investment advisors | - | Buy Now |
|
66 Series 66 |
Combines Series 63 & 65 (Requires Series 7) | ✕ No* | 100 | 2 hr 30 min | 73% | ★★★★☆ Hard | Financial advisors seeking dual qualification | 90–130 | Buy Now |
One note on sponsorship: "no sponsorship required" means you can register and sit for the exam independently — through finra.org or your state securities regulator — without being employed by a financial firm. This is the most important practical distinction when you're deciding which exam to study for first.
The Series 65 is the only exam on this list that is both standalone (no sponsor needed) and grants a working license on its own — allowing you to immediately begin operating as an Investment Adviser Representative at an RIA. Every other no-sponsor exam (SIE, Series 63) is either a prerequisite or a state registration add-on that cannot be used alone.
What each license lets you do — and what it doesn't.
The exams are not interchangeable. Each one grants a specific scope of authority, and the scope determines what business you can legally conduct with clients. Here is exactly what each license enables and where its limits are.
| Feature | SIE | Series 6 | Series 7 | Series 63 | Series 65 | Series 66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Friendly | ✔ | ⚠ | ✖ | ✔ | ⚠ | ✖ |
| Requires Firm Sponsorship | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| State Law Focus | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Investment Advice | ✖ | ✖ | Limited | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sell Stocks | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ (with Series 7) |
| Sell Mutual Funds | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ (with Series 7) |
| Career Starting Point | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Note: The most commonly misunderstood column is "Investment Advice." The Series 7 allows a registered representative to make investment recommendations to clients — but only under a suitability standard. The Series 65 (and Series 66, which includes Series 65 content) qualifies you to give investment advice under a fiduciary standard, which is a legally higher obligation. If you want to charge ongoing advisory fees for managing a client's portfolio, you need the Series 65 or Series 66 — a Series 7 alone does not cover this.
Which exam should you take? Start with your career goal.
The fastest way to identify your right exam is to start with the career outcome you want and work backward to the license that enables it. Here is the direct mapping — career goal to recommended exam path, with no detours.
I'm just getting started
If you don't yet have a job at a financial firm and aren't sure which direction you're heading, the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) is always the right first step.
- No Sponsorship Required: Take it independently before being hired.
- Long Shelf Life: Valid for up to 4 years after passing.
It's the foundational exam that keeps all options open. Pass it now, and you won't need to retake it regardless of which direction you go next.
I want to sell mutual funds & annuities
This is the most common licensing path for bank investment center representatives and insurance agents adding securities capability. The sequence matters:
- Step 1: SIE first (no sponsor needed).
- Step 2: Series 6 after your firm sponsors you (your core product license).
- Step 3: Series 63 for your state registration.
Your Series 6 is your product license. Your Series 63 is your state registration. You need both to conduct securities business in most states.
I want to become a stockbroker
The Series 7 is the broadest brokerage license available — it covers stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, ETFs, municipal securities, and more.
The Path: SIE first (independently, no sponsor), then get hired at a FINRA-member broker-dealer who sponsors you for the Series 7, then add Series 63 for state registration.
Most major firms — Edward Jones, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Raymond James — use this exact licensing path for new advisors.
I want to become a Financial Advisor
The most complete licensing path for a full-service financial advisor role consists of the following progression:
SIE (Independent) → Series 7 (Firm Sponsored) → Series 66 (State Registration)
The Series 66 uniquely combines the Series 63 and Series 65 into a single exam. With the Series 7 + Series 66 combination, you can earn commissions as a registered representative and charge advisory fees as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) — achieving the full dual-registered model.
Investment Adviser Representative
The Series 65 is your target exam. It boasts several unique advantages for independent professionals:
- No SIE Required as a prerequisite.
- No firm sponsorship required of any kind.
- No prerequisites to register.
Simply register with your state, study for 6–8 weeks, pass, and you are immediately licensed to give investment advice and charge advisory fees at a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). This is the most accessible path to a fee-based financial advisory career — and the only common securities exam where you go from zero to fully licensed without a sponsoring employer.
I already have Series 7
Take the Series 66, not the Series 63 + Series 65 separately. The Series 66 combines the content of both exams into a single 100-question exam specifically designed for Series 7 holders. One sitting instead of two.
| Metric | Details / Requirements |
|---|---|
| Passing Threshold | 73% — higher than Series 63 (72%) or Series 65 (72%) alone. |
| Study Timeline | 6–8 weeks of dedicated study. |
Series 7 vs Series 65 — the single biggest career decision in securities licensing.
If one comparison defines a career in financial services, it's this one. The Series 7 and the Series 65 are not interchangeable — they represent two fundamentally different models for how you work with clients, how you are regulated, and how you earn money. Most candidates need to get this decision right the first time.
Commission-Based Brokerage
The Series 7 is a FINRA exam. Passing it (combined with the SIE) qualifies you as a General Securities Representative — licensed to buy and sell equities, debt securities, options, mutual funds, ETFs, municipal bonds, and more on behalf of clients at a broker-dealer.
Series 7 holders earn through commissions: each time a client executes a securities transaction, the broker earns a percentage. The compensation model rewards transaction volume and asset gathering — income that is higher in strong markets and more volatile overall.
The legal standard for Series 7 holders is suitability — your investment recommendations must be suitable for the client based on their financial profile and investment objectives. Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), introduced in 2020, raises this standard, requiring brokers to act in the client's best interest when making recommendations — but it is not the same as the full fiduciary standard.
The Series 7 requires firm sponsorship. You cannot take it independently. A FINRA-member broker-dealer must submit your Form U4, and you must pass both the SIE and the Series 7 top-off exam to receive your registration.
Fee-Based Advisory
The Series 65 is a NASAA exam — the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination. Passing it qualifies you as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR), licensed to give investment advice and charge advisory fees at a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA).
Series 65 holders earn through advisory fees: typically a percentage of assets under management (AUM), a flat annual fee, or an hourly rate. Unlike the commission model, fee income is recurring — a practice with $10 million in AUM at 1% generates $100,000 per year regardless of how many transactions occur. Income compounds as your client base and assets grow.
The legal standard for Series 65 holders is fiduciary — you are legally required to act in your client's best interest at all times, disclose all material conflicts, and choose the lowest-cost option that meets the client's needs. This is a higher obligation than the suitability standard.
The Series 65 requires no firm sponsorship. No SIE, no prerequisites of any kind. Anyone can register, study, and take the exam independently. This makes it the most accessible path to a securities-related license — and the reason it's the starting point for career changers who don't yet have a firm offer.
Which one should you take?
Your ideal path depends entirely on whether you want a traditional brokerage career path or an independent fee-based advisory track.
| Metric | Series 7 Path | Series 65 Path |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | FINRA | NASAA |
| Firm Sponsorship | Required (Cannot take independently) | Not Required (Open to anyone) |
| Compensation Base | Commission-based transactions | Recurring Fees / Assets Under Management (AUM) |
| Legal Mandate | Suitability Standard + Reg BI | Fiduciary Standard (Highest legal duty) |
| Exam Difficulty | Most difficult representative exam (65% first-time pass rate) | Comprehensive (3rd failed attempt triggers 6-month wait) |
| Career Intentions |
|
|
Want the flexibility of both paths? Take both if you want dual registration — the ability to earn commissions at a broker-dealer and charge fees as an IAR. The most efficient path: SIE + Series 7 + Series 66 (the Series 66 combines the Series 63 and Series 65 into a single test specifically optimized for Series 7 holders).
Not sure which route matches your situation? Call us directly at 877-218-1776. We map out personalized candidate schedules matching specific timelines every single day.SIE vs Series 7 — What's the Difference and Which Comes First?
The SIE and the Series 7 are not two separate options. They are two parts of the same licensing requirement — both are needed to become a General Securities Representative. Understanding exactly how they differ matters for how you approach preparation and timing.
What the SIE Covers
The SIE — Securities Industry Essentials — is FINRA's foundational knowledge exam. It covers the broad landscape of the securities industry: what the major products are and how they work (equities, debt, options, mutual funds), how markets are structured, how customer accounts function, and what the basic regulatory framework looks like.
The questions test recognition and understanding. "What is a characteristic of preferred stock?" or "Which regulator oversees municipal securities?" — conceptual questions that verify you understand the industry at a foundational level.
The SIE contains 75 questions, takes 1 hour 45 minutes, and requires a 70% passing score. Anyone 18 or older can take it — no employer, no firm, no sponsorship required. It is valid for 4 years from the date you pass.
- 75 Questions
- 1 hr 45 min
- 70% Passing Score
- No Sponsor Required
- Valid for 4 Years
What the Series 7 Covers
The Series 7 takes the same topics and goes dramatically deeper into real-world application. It does not ask what preferred stock is — it presents a complex client scenario and asks you to determine the most suitable recommendation given the client's full financial profile, investment objectives, and the characteristics of several competing securities.
The questions test judgment under realistic conditions. The same client scenario might require you to weigh tax implications, margin requirements, the specific mechanics of a given product, and the firm's regulatory obligations simultaneously. This is why the Series 7 is the most difficult representative-level securities exam.
The Series 7 contains 125 questions, takes 3 hours 45 minutes, and requires a 72% passing score. It cannot be taken without firm sponsorship — your employer must file a Form U4 to open your exam window. Options strategies alone make up 15% of the Series 7 — the single largest topic area — and are the section where the most candidates lose points.
- 125 Questions
- 3 hr 45 min
- 72% Passing Score
- Firm Sponsorship Required
- Most Difficult FINRA Exam
Which do you take first?
The SIE first, always. The two exams are co-requisites — you need both to become a registered representative — but the SIE is taken first because you can take it independently, before you have a firm. Most candidates take the SIE before they are hired, giving them a credential that demonstrates initiative to prospective employers. Once hired, their firm sponsors them for the Series 7.
The SIE is not a prerequisite in the sense that it unlocks the Series 7 — technically you could take them in either order. But the SIE content is foundational for the Series 7, and candidates who sit for the Series 7 without a solid SIE-level foundation are measurably less prepared.
Take the SIE now. It costs $80, takes 4–6 weeks to study for with our complete course, and is valid for 4 years. By the time you are hired and sponsored for the Series 7, your SIE is already done.
Study SIE
Build your securities foundation.
Pass SIE
Credential valid for four years.
Get Hired
Join a FINRA member firm.
Firm Sponsors You
Employer files Form U4.
Take Series 7
Complete the representative exam.
Become Registered
Start your securities career.
Note: Start with the SIE while you're looking for employment. Once you're hired by a FINRA-member firm, complete the Series 7 to earn your General Securities Representative registration.
Series 6 vs Series 7 — scope, career path, and which one you actually need.
The Series 6 and Series 7 are both FINRA representative exams that allow you to sell securities products to clients at a broker-dealer. The difference is scope — and scope directly impacts which roles you can fill and which clients you can serve.
| Comparison | Series 6 | Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Products Covered | Mutual Funds, Variable Annuities, Variable Life Insurance, 529 Plans | Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Municipal Securities |
| Questions | 50 Questions | 125 Questions |
| Study Time | 4–6 Weeks | 8–12 Weeks |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Advanced |
| Best For | Bank representatives, insurance agents, credit unions | Full-service advisors and broker-dealers |
| Upgrade Path | Can upgrade to Series 7 later | Broadest representative license |
Product-Specific License
A focused license designed for professionals selling packaged investment products.
- ✓ Mutual Funds
- ✓ Variable Annuities
- ✓ Variable Life Insurance
- ✓ 529 Plans
General Securities License
Includes everything from Series 6 plus a complete range of securities products.
- ✓ Everything in Series 6
- ✓ Individual Stocks
- ✓ Corporate Bonds
- ✓ Municipal Securities
- ✓ ETFs
- ✓ Options
Series 63 vs Series 65 vs Series 66 — the three NASAA exams and when you need each one.
These three exams are the ones that confuse candidates most. They are all NASAA state law exams, commonly paired with FINRA licenses, but each one serves a different career purpose.
Series 63
State Securities Agent Registration
The Series 63 covers state securities law, registration requirements, prohibited practices, and the authority of state regulators.
- 60 Questions
- 75 Minutes
- 72% Passing Score
- 2–4 Weeks Study
- No Sponsorship Required
Series 65
Investment Adviser Representative
The Series 65 qualifies candidates as IARs and allows them to provide investment advice and charge advisory fees.
- 130 Questions
- 3 Hours 30 Minutes
- 70% Passing Score
- 6–8 Weeks Study
- No Sponsorship Required
Series 66
Combined State Law Exam
The Series 66 combines Series 63 and Series 65 content into one exam for Series 7 holders seeking both registrations.
- 90 Scored Questions
- 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- 73% Passing Score
- 6–8 Weeks Study
- Series 7 Required
| Comparison | Series 63 | Series 65 | Series 66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combines Exams | No | No | 63 + 65 Content |
| Questions | 60 | 130 | 90 Scored + 10 Unscored |
| Passing Score | 72% | 70% | 73% |
| Sponsorship | Not Required | Not Required | Series 7 Required |
| Best For | Broker Agents | Investment Advisers | Dual Registration |
Which Exam Do You Need?
Choose Series 63
You already have Series 6 or Series 7 and need state securities registration.
Choose Series 65
You want to become an Investment Adviser Representative and charge advisory fees.
Choose Series 66
You already have Series 7 and want both agent registration and IAR qualification.
Exam difficulty comparison — honest study time estimates and what makes each exam hard.
Study hour estimates for securities exams vary wildly across the internet. The numbers below are based on 30 years of student data and outcome tracking across 400,000+ candidates — not marketing estimates. They assume structured study with quality materials and include the full preparation cycle through a readiness benchmark, not just passive reading.
| Exam | Difficulty | Recommended Study Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SIE | ★★☆☆☆ Easy–Moderate | 60–90 Hours |
| Series 6 | ★★★☆☆ Moderate | 50–80 Hours |
| Series 63 | ★★★☆☆ Moderate | 25–40 Hours |
| Series 65 | ★★★★☆ Difficult | 90–130 Hours |
| Series 66 | ★★★★☆ Difficult | 70–110 Hours |
| Series 7 | ★★★★★ Most Difficult | 120–180 Hours |
SIE
★★☆☆☆The SIE is broad but not deep. It covers capital markets, products and their risks, customer accounts, and the regulatory framework — but tests recognition and understanding, not complex application. The 70% passing threshold is achievable with consistent study. The most common failure cause: underestimating the products section, which makes up 44% of the exam and includes content (variable annuities, UITs, options basics) that many first-time candidates don't expect. Start drilling practice questions earlier than you think you need to.
Series 6
★★★☆☆The Series 6 is more focused than the SIE but tests the material in greater depth. The most commonly missed content: mutual fund share class structures (A/B/C shares, breakpoints, rights of accumulation) and variable annuity mechanics (separate accounts, surrender charges, subaccount rules). Candidates with insurance backgrounds typically land at 50–60 hours; candidates with no product familiarity typically need 70–80 hours.
Series 63
★★★☆☆Shorter than any other exam on this list — 60 scored questions, 2–4 weeks of study — but consistently underestimated by candidates who treat it as a formality after the Series 7. The 72% threshold requires focused preparation regardless of your Series 7 performance. The regulatory framework is NASAA state law, not FINRA rules — candidates who blur the two consistently miss questions. Keep the two frameworks mentally separate throughout your study.
Series 65
★★★★☆The hardest of the no-sponsor exams and the one with the most serious consequences for under-preparation: a third failed attempt triggers a 6-month waiting period before retesting. Every one of the 130 questions is scored — there are no unscored pilot questions as on some FINRA exams. The economic concepts and quantitative methods section (yield curves, duration, standard deviation, correlation coefficients) requires active study, not just recognition. Do not book the real exam based on how you feel — use a scored readiness benchmark to confirm you're at 70%+ before you sit.
Series 66
★★★★☆Deceptive in its apparent shortness. The 73% passing threshold — the highest of any NASAA exam — catches Series 7 holders off guard. Both regulatory frameworks (state agent law and investment adviser law) require genuine preparation, not just a review of whichever one you know better from prior study. The difficulty is less about individual question complexity and more about maintaining clean mental separation between two distinct regulatory frameworks for 2.5 hours.
Series 7
★★★★★The most comprehensive representative-level securities exam. Options strategies (15% of the exam — the largest single topic area) require deep understanding of hedging mechanics, breakeven formulas, spreads, straddles, and complex multi-leg positions. Candidates who pass the Series 7 on the first attempt share two consistent behaviours: they answered 2,500–3,000 practice questions before the real exam, and they used a scored full-length simulation to confirm readiness before booking. First-time pass rates are approximately 65%. Do not book the Series 7 until your GreenLight score confirms you're ready.
SIE — Easy to Moderate | 60–90 Hours
The SIE covers capital markets, products, customer accounts, and regulatory basics. The biggest mistake candidates make is underestimating the products section, which represents a large portion of the exam.
Series 6 — Moderate | 50–80 Hours
Candidates usually struggle with mutual fund share classes, breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and variable annuity mechanics.
Series 63 — Moderate | 25–40 Hours
The Series 63 is short but requires focused preparation. State law concepts are different from FINRA rules and should be studied separately.
Series 65 — Difficult | 90–130 Hours
The Series 65 requires deeper understanding of economics, quantitative concepts, investment vehicles, fiduciary duties, and retirement planning.
Series 66 — Difficult | 70–110 Hours
The Series 66 combines Series 63 and Series 65 concepts. Success requires understanding two separate regulatory frameworks.
Series 7 — Most Difficult | 120–180 Hours
The Series 7 is the most comprehensive representative exam. Options strategies, suitability, and product application create the biggest challenges.
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greenlight@securitiesce.comStart the course for the exam you need.
Once you've identified the right exam from the comparison above, here are the complete self-study packages — one for each exam, each with the GreenLight Guarantee and TotalGenius AI tutoring included.
SIE Exam Prep
- ✓ Complete Video Training
- ✓ Wiley Partner Textbook
- ✓ Practice Question Bank
- ✓ GreenLight Readiness Exam
- ✓ TotalGenius AI Tutor
Series 6 Exam Prep
- ✓ Complete Video Training
- ✓ Wiley Partner Textbook
- ✓ Practice Question Bank
- ✓ GreenLight Readiness Exam
- ✓ TotalGenius AI Tutor
Series 7 Exam Prep
- ✓ Complete Video Training
- ✓ Wiley Partner Textbook
- ✓ Practice Question Bank
- ✓ GreenLight Readiness Exam
- ✓ TotalGenius AI Tutor
Series 63 Exam Prep
- ✓ Complete Video Training
- ✓ Wiley Partner Textbook
- ✓ Practice Question Bank
- ✓ GreenLight Readiness Exam
- ✓ TotalGenius AI Tutor
Series 65 Exam Prep
- ✓ Complete Video Training
- ✓ Wiley Partner Textbook
- ✓ Practice Question Bank
- ✓ GreenLight Readiness Exam
- ✓ TotalGenius AI Tutor
Series 66 Exam Prep
- ✓ Complete Video Training
- ✓ Wiley Partner Textbook
- ✓ Practice Question Bank
- ✓ GreenLight Readiness Exam
- ✓ TotalGenius AI Tutor
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Frequently asked questions about securities licensing exams
The SIE is the most accessible exam — it requires no firm sponsorship, covers foundational knowledge rather than applied professional judgment, and has the highest first-time pass rate of any exam on this list (approximately 74%). That said, it still requires 60–90 hours of structured preparation and a 70% passing score. No FINRA or NASAA exam should be treated as a formality — the 26% of first-time SIE takers who fail consistently underestimated it.
It depends on the exam. The SIE, Series 63, and Series 65 can all be taken without firm sponsorship — you register independently through finra.org or your state securities regulator. The Series 6, Series 7, and Series 66 require your employing FINRA-member firm to file a Form U4 before you can sit. If you’re not yet employed at a financial firm, start with the SIE (and optionally the Series 65 if you’re interested in fee-based advisory) — both are achievable independently and make you significantly more competitive in financial services interviews.
Compensation in financial services is linked to the scope of your license and the size of your client base, not the exam itself. The Series 7, combined with the Series 66, gives you the broadest licensed scope — you can sell nearly all securities and charge advisory fees — which correlates with access to the highest-earning advisor roles. The Series 65 alone enables the fee-based AUM model, where income compounds as assets under management grow. Median annual compensation for financial advisors is approximately $99,580 (BLS 2024), with the top 10% earning over $208,000.
For FINRA exams (Series 6, 7, 66): 30-day waiting period after the first and second failed attempts. There is no limit on the number of retakes, but each requires a new registration and fee. For NASAA exams (Series 63, 65): 30-day waiting period after the first and second failures. After a third failed attempt on the Series 65 or Series 66, you must wait 6 months before retesting. This escalating consequence is the strongest argument for using a proper readiness benchmark before you book any attempt.
The SIE pass is valid for 4 years — you must pass a representative-level top-off exam (Series 7, Series 6, etc.) within that window, or retake the SIE. FINRA licenses (Series 7, Series 6, Series 66) remain active as long as you are registered with a FINRA-member firm. If you are not associated with a member firm for more than two years, your license lapses. State IAR registrations (Series 65, Series 66) require annual continuing education — 12 IARCE credit hours per year including 6 in ethics — to remain active.
The SIE tests foundational knowledge of the securities industry — it is broad and conceptual. The Series 7 tests applied professional judgment — it is deep and scenario-based. Both are required for the Series 7 registration (they are co-requisites). Take the SIE first because it requires no firm sponsorship. Once you pass the SIE and are hired by a FINRA-member broker-dealer, your firm sponsors you for the Series 7 top-off exam, which grants the full General Securities Representative registration.
Yes. The Series 65 has no prerequisites and no sponsorship requirement. Anyone 18 or older can register, pay the exam fee (approximately $187, varies by state), and schedule a test at a Prometric testing center. You do not need the SIE, a Series 7, or any other prior license. After passing the Series 65, you register as an Investment Adviser Representative with your state and you are licensed to give investment advice and charge advisory fees.
The GreenLight Guarantee is SIA’s money-back promise on complete self-study packages: complete the course, pass our GreenLight readiness exam at the required score threshold, sit the real FINRA or NASAA exam within 5 days, and if you don’t pass — we refund your course fee in full. The GreenLight exam is a full-length, real-difficulty simulation of the actual exam. In 30 years, no student who has passed the GreenLight exam has ever failed the actual exam. To claim a refund, email your score sheet to greenlight@securitiesce.com.