Is Sponsorship Required for the Series 65 Exam?

🟦 Is Sponsorship Required for the Series 65 Exam?

No, sponsorship is not required to take the Series 65 exam. Unlike many other securities exams administered by FINRA, the Series 65 exam—formally known as the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination—can be taken by individuals without being affiliated with a sponsoring firm. This makes it accessible for those pursuing a career as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR), especially if they are self-employed or working independently.​Ad Banker

✅ How to Register for the Series 65 Exam

If you’re not currently affiliated with a firm that uses FINRA’s Web CRD system, you can enroll for the Series 65 exam by:​RIA Compliance Consultants+3NASAA+3NASAA+3

1. Completing Form U10: This form is used for unsponsored individuals seeking to take the exam.
2. Paying the Exam Fee: The current fee for the Series 65 exam is $187.
3. Scheduling the Exam: After your application is processed, you’ll receive a 120-day window to take the exam.​NASAA+5Ad Banker+5Investopedia+5Ad Banker+2NASAA+2NASAA+2

These steps can be completed through FINRA’s Test Enrollment Services System (TESS). ​NASAA

🎓 Understanding the Series 65 Exam

• Purpose: The Series 65 exam qualifies individuals to act as IARs, allowing them to provide investment advice and charge fees for such services.
• Format: The exam consists of 130 scored multiple-choice questions and 10 unscored pretest questions, covering topics like:
  • Economic factors and business information
  • Investment vehicle characteristics
  • Client investment recommendations and strategies
  • Laws, regulations, and guidelines, including ethical practices
• Passing Score: To pass, you must correctly answer at least 92 out of the 130 scored questions.
• Time Limit: Candidates have 180 minutes to complete the exam. ​Investopedia+1Investopedia+1Kaplan Financial+4FINRA+4Investopedia+4Investopedia+10Wikipedia+10FINRA+10

💼 Career Pathways with the Series 65 License

Holding the Series 65 license is a significant step toward becoming an IAR. While the license allows you to provide investment advice and charge fees, it does not automatically grant the authority to sell securities. If you wish to engage in selling securities, additional licenses such as the Series 6 or Series 7 may be required, depending on the products you intend to offer. ​Ad Banker

📌 Key Takeaway

You do not need a sponsoring firm to take the Series 65 exam. This flexibility makes it an attractive option for individuals aiming to establish themselves as independent financial advisors or those working with registered investment advisory firms.​NASAA+4Ad Banker+4RIA Compliance Consultants+4

🎓 Ready to embark on your journey as an Investment Adviser Representative?
Start your preparation for the Series 65 exam today with expert-led courses and practice exams to ensure your success.