Who Needs the Series 24 License and Why?
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🟦 Who Needs the Series 24 License and Why?
The Series 24 license, officially known as the General Securities Principal Qualification Examination, is a crucial credential for professionals who wish to supervise or manage other registered representatives in the securities industry. It’s not just a license—it’s a gateway to leadership in the world of brokerage firms and financial services.
👔 What Is the Series 24 License?
Administered by FINRA, the Series 24 license authorizes individuals to:
- Supervise sales activities of general securities representatives
- Approve advertising and communications
- Manage compliance with securities laws and regulations
- Oversee trading and market-making activities
- Supervise underwriting and research activities
This license is required for principals, meaning those in a supervisory or managerial role.
🧑💼 Who Needs It?
You need the Series 24 license if you’re aiming to take on a supervisory position at a FINRA-member firm. This includes roles such as:
- Branch Office Manager (BOM)
- Compliance Officer
- Sales Supervisor
- Operations Manager
- Investment Banking Manager
In short: anyone overseeing registered representatives or specific business activities must hold this license.
🧩 Prerequisites
To qualify for the Series 24 exam, you must:
- Be associated with a FINRA-member firm
- Already hold a qualifying representative license (e.g., Series 7, Series 79, Series 22)
📝 What Does the Exam Cover?
The exam consists of 150 scored questions (plus 10 unscored) and takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. It evaluates your knowledge across five main functions:
- Supervision of Registration of Personnel
- Supervision of General Broker-Dealer Operations
- Supervision of Regulatory Compliance
- Supervision of Sales Practices and Conduct of Associated Persons
- Supervision of Trading and Market Making
📌 Why It Matters
The Series 24 license isn’t just a regulatory checkbox—it’s a symbol of leadership and trust. With this license, you’re authorized to make supervisory decisions that directly impact your firm’s compliance, profitability, and integrity.
🎓 Your Next Step
Thinking of stepping into a leadership role? Prepare with the most comprehensive digital training at
👉 FINRA Exam Mastery
and get ready to pass the Series 24 with confidence and clarity.