How to Choose the Right FINRA Exam for Your Career

Navigating the financial industry starts with choosing the right FINRA licensing exam—but with so many options, how do you know which one aligns with your goals?

Whether you’re pursuing a career as a financial advisor, investment banker, compliance officer, or broker-dealer representative, your FINRA exam path should reflect your career trajectory.

1. Start with the SIE – The Securities Industry Essentials Exam

If you’re new to the industry, the SIE Exam is your entry point.
✅ Required for all FINRA representative-level licenses
✅ No sponsorship needed
✅ Tests basic knowledge of products, risks, regulatory agencies, and industry structure

This exam is ideal for students, career changers, and interns looking to break into the field.

2. Choose a Representative License Based on Your Role

Here’s a breakdown of common FINRA exams and the careers they support:

📌 Series 6 – Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative

• Sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and insurance-based products
• Great for financial planners and insurance professionals
• Requires SIE + Series 6

📌 Series 7 – General Securities Representative

• Sell a broad range of securities: stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds
• Preferred by full-service brokers and wealth managers
• Requires SIE + Series 7

📌 Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law

• Required by most states for securities sales
• Must be paired with Series 6 or 7

📌 Series 65 – Uniform Investment Adviser Law

• For professionals providing fee-based investment advice
• Standalone exam—no SIE or sponsorship needed
• Ideal for RIAs and independent advisors

📌 Series 66 – Combined State Law Exam

• Combines Series 63 and 65 into one exam
• Must be paired with Series 7
• Ideal for dual-capacity professionals (advice + product sales)

3. Advancing to Supervisory Roles? Consider These

If you’re climbing the ladder into management or compliance, you may need:

• Series 24 – General Securities Principal (for supervising reps)
• Series 9/10 – Sales Supervisor (manages branch-level activities)
• Series 26 – Investment Company Principal (supervises Series 6 reps)

These require that you already hold a representative license such as Series 6 or 7.

4. Specialized Paths: Fixed Income, Municipal Bonds, Research, and More

Looking for a niche?
You might need:

• Series 52 – Municipal Securities
• Series 79 – Investment Banking
• Series 86/87 – Research Analysts
• Series 99 – Operations Professionals

Each supports a specific function and may require additional qualifications.

How to Decide?

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to sell securities, give advice, or supervise others?
• Will I be working for a broker-dealer, RIA, or hybrid firm?
• Do I need state registration, or is it a federal role?

Get Expert Guidance at Finra Exam Mastery

At Finra Exam Mastery, we break down every FINRA license and help you:

✅ Choose the right exam
✅ Build a customized study plan
✅ Get full access to structured video courses, mock exams, and updates

🎯 Take the guesswork out of your licensing path and start building your career with clarity.