From Series 65 to RIA – Career Path Explained

📈 From Series 65 to RIA – Career Path Explained
How the Series 65 Exam Launches Your Journey as an Investment Adviser

The Series 65 exam isn’t just another securities license—it’s your key to becoming a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) or Investment Adviser Representative (IAR). If your goal is to give financial advice for a fee, manage client assets, or launch your own advisory firm, here’s how passing the Series 65 gets you there.

🧾 What Is the Series 65 Exam?

• Officially titled the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam
• Designed for professionals who want to provide investment advice for compensation
• Covers:
  • Economics and financial markets
  • Investment vehicles and portfolio management
  • Fiduciary responsibilities
  • State and federal securities regulations

Passing Score: 72% (94 out of 130 questions)
Duration: 180 minutes

🎯 What You Can Do with a Series 65 License

After passing the Series 65, you’re qualified to:

• Work as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) under an RIA firm
• Start your own RIA firm (if you meet regulatory registration requirements)
• Provide fee-based financial advice without needing Series 7 or firm sponsorship
• Build a client base and manage assets professionally
• Offer portfolio management, retirement planning, and holistic wealth advice

Unlike Series 7, Series 65 is not tied to commission-based sales—it’s focused on fiduciary advisory services.

🧭 Career Path After Series 65

✅ Option 1: Join an Existing RIA Firm

• Act as an IAR under the firm’s supervision
• Focus on client service, investment planning, and advice
• Grow your book of business while learning the operational side of advisory work

✅ Option 2: Launch Your Own RIA

• Register with your state regulator (or SEC, if managing over $100M AUM)
• File a Form ADV
• Set up compliance, CRM, and financial planning systems
• Build your brand and client offering independently

✅ Option 3: Combine with Other Licenses

• Pair Series 65 with insurance licenses to offer hybrid advisory-insurance solutions
• Work in a dual-registrant firm that offers both brokerage and advisory services

💼 Common Careers for Series 65 Holders

• Independent Financial Advisor
• RIA Firm Owner
• Wealth Manager
• Portfolio Consultant
• Fee-Based Planner

📘 Final Tip: It Starts with the Exam, But It’s More Than That

Passing Series 65 is just the beginning. To succeed as an RIA or IAR, you’ll need ongoing education, strong ethics, relationship skills, and a solid business foundation.

At finra-exam-mastery.com, we offer everything you need to pass the Series 65, understand RIA registration, and build your future as a trusted adviser.

Start with the exam. Build the career. Lead with integrity.