Can You Take Series 66 Without Series 7?
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
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❓ Can You Take the Series 66 Without Series 7?
The short answer is no—you cannot be fully licensed by passing the Series 66 exam alone. While you can technically take the Series 66 first, it only becomes valid in combination with the Series 7.
Let’s break it down clearly.
🧾 What Is the Series 66?
The Series 66, or Uniform Combined State Law Exam, qualifies individuals as both:
- Securities Agents (under the Uniform Securities Act)
- Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs)
It combines the material from Series 63 and Series 65—but it’s designed to work alongside the Series 7 exam.
📌 Series 66 Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | ❌ Not required (unlike Series 7) |
| Prerequisite for full licensure | ✅ Must also pass the Series 7 |
| Can be taken before Series 7? | ✅ Yes, but will not grant full registration status |
👉 Passing the Series 66 does nothing unless Series 7 is also passed and active.
📘 What Each Exam Covers
| Exam | Focus |
|---|---|
| Series 7 | Product knowledge and general securities law |
| Series 66 | State law, fiduciary duty, ethics, and IAR topics |
Series 7 grants the ability to sell securities.
Series 66 grants the ability to act as an investment adviser rep under state law.
🧠 Key Takeaways
- ✅ You can sit for the Series 66 without passing Series 7 first
- ❌ But you cannot use your Series 66 license without an active Series 7
- 🔗 Think of Series 66 as a companion exam to Series 7—not a standalone path
- ✅ Series 66 is often taken after or immediately before the Series 7
🎯 Get complete step-by-step guidance for both exams, with full licensing paths and prep resources at
👉 finra-exam-mastery.com