Series 6 to Series 7: Climbing the Licensing Ladder
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🧾 Series 6 to Series 7: Climbing the Licensing Ladder
📘 How to Move from Limited to Full Securities Licensing
If you’ve already passed the Series 6 exam, you’re licensed to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and other packaged investment products. But if you want to expand into stocks, bonds, options, and ETFs, the next step is the Series 7 exam. This guide explains the differences between the two exams and how to successfully climb from Series 6 to Series 7.
🎯 1. What Does the Series 6 License Cover?
The Series 6 is officially called the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam. It allows you to sell:
- Mutual funds
- Variable annuities
- Unit investment trusts (UITs)
- 529 plans
🔒 Limitations: You cannot sell individual stocks, bonds, options, or direct participation programs (DPPs).
🎯 2. What Does the Series 7 License Cover?
The Series 7, or General Securities Representative Exam, qualifies you to sell:
- Stocks and bonds
- Options (calls and puts)
- Municipal securities
- Mutual funds
- ETFs
- Variable products
- DPPs
✅ It’s the most comprehensive securities license available and is typically required for roles in full-service brokerage, trading, or advisory firms.
📈 3. Why Make the Move from Series 6 to Series 7?
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Broader product range | You can sell more than packaged investment products. |
| Expanded career opportunities | Opens the door to roles in brokerage, trading, and advisory. |
| Higher earning potential | More products = more commission and advisory fee options. |
| Employer expectations | Many firms require Series 7 for general securities roles. |
🧠 4. Key Differences Between Series 6 and Series 7 Exams
| Feature | Series 6 | Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Packaged investment products | Full range of securities |
| Number of questions | 50 (scored) + 5 (unscored) | 125 (scored) + 10 (unscored) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes | 225 minutes (3 hours, 45 mins) |
| Passing score | 70% | 72% |
| Difficulty level | Beginner | Intermediate to advanced |
🗓️ 5. How to Prepare for the Series 7 After Series 6
If you already passed the Series 6, you’ve got a solid foundation in:
- Investment company products
- Suitability
- Sales practice and ethics
But the Series 7 adds:
- In-depth coverage of equities, bonds, and options
- Advanced suitability and risk analysis
- Complex order types and trade settlement
- Regulatory rules from FINRA, SEC, and MSRB
🔍 Study Plan Suggestions:
- Allocate 8–10 weeks of focused study
- Use video lectures, textbooks, and full-length practice exams
- Focus especially on options, order types, and margin concepts
🚀 6. After Passing Series 7 – What’s Next?
Once you pass the Series 7, you’re qualified to:
- Work as a general securities representative
- Pursue Series 66 to offer investment advisory services
- Apply for roles in trading desks, wealth management, and portfolio sales
🎓 Ready to go from Series 6 to Series 7?
Get access to expert prep tools, simulations, and guides at
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com
Pass with confidence. Expand your licensing. Grow your career.