Combining Series 63 and 65 for Flexibility

🔄 Combining Series 63 and 65 for Flexibility

If you’re navigating the FINRA and NASAA licensing landscape, understanding how the Series 63 and Series 65 work together—or can be combined strategically—can unlock greater flexibility in your financial career. These two exams cover state-level regulations, but they serve different purposes and open different doors.

Let’s break down how combining them (or choosing the right alternative) can benefit you.

📘 Series 63: Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam

• Required for: Registered representatives who sell securities (like stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
• Common pairing: With Series 6 or Series 7
• Covers: Blue Sky laws, state registration, anti-fraud, ethical practices
• Purpose: Grants the legal authority to transact business in most U.S. states

🛑 Does not allow you to charge fees for investment advice.

📗 Series 65: Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam

• Required for: Individuals who offer fee-based investment advice
• Standalone exam – no sponsor required
• Covers: Economics, portfolio management, fiduciary duty, ethics, and laws
• Purpose: Qualifies you to become an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR)

🟢 Does allow you to provide advisory services without selling securities.

🔁 Can You Combine Series 63 + 65?

Technically, you can hold both, but it’s not the most efficient path.

Instead, professionals who want to combine the benefits of both often choose:

✅ Series 66 = Series 63 + Series 65 (Combined Exam)

• Co-requisite: Must also pass Series 7
• Benefits:
  • Fulfills the state law requirements to both sell securities and give advice
  • Only one exam instead of two
  • Preferred by many broker-dealer firms for dual-capacity roles

🧠 Why You Might Still Take Both Separately

• If you already passed Series 63, and later want to become an RIA, you can take Series 65 instead of retaking everything
• Some roles don’t require the Series 7, so Series 65 + SIE might be more accessible

🏁 Best Strategy for Flexibility

🚀 Start Building Your License Stack

Choosing the right licensing path saves time, money, and effort—and gives you room to grow into different roles.

👉 Get expert prep tools for Series 63, 65, and 66 at finra-exam-mastery.com — and take the next step toward full financial industry flexibility.