Securities Licensing Guide

Securities licensing generally starts with the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam, which doesn't require employer sponsorship. Most other FINRA Series exams — like the Series 6 or Series 7 — do require being sponsored by a FINRA member firm before you can sit for them. NASAA exams (Series 63, 65, 66) cover state-level securities law and are often required alongside a FINRA exam depending on your role.

The typical path

1. Pass the SIE exam (no sponsorship required).
2. Get sponsored by a FINRA member firm for the specific Series exam your role requires.
3. Pass the required Series exam(s) for your role.
4. Pass any required NASAA exam (63, 65, or 66) depending on your state and role.

Exact requirements depend on your specific role and state. See CARE Securities for exam-specific detail as it becomes available.