Do you need a series 7 to be a financial advisor?
To obtain their licenses, financial advisors must pass the Series 7 exam, which is no easy feat. Once they've cleared this hurdle, however, new professional doors may open in financial advising, investment management and other roles. Here's what advisors should know about the Series 7 license and Series 7 exam.
Series 7 license
This includes the sale of stocks, bonds, options, futures and packaged securities. To earn a Series 7 license, advisors must pass a 250-question exam administered by FINRA. Financial advisors take the Series 7 exam in three-hour segments and typically prepare for the test ahead of time.
This means that Series 65 allows you to practice in a fiduciary capacity, offering independent advice and financial services. While most investment advisor representatives take one or both of the Series 6 and Series 7 exams in addition to their Series 65 exam, it is not required.
The CFP and the Series 7 are two qualifications that may be of interest to financial professionals. In fact, a CFP could also look to complete the Series 7 exam. However, they serve different purposes. The CFP is for experienced financial planners looking to set themselves apart from the competition.
Establishing an RIA involves several key steps. First, you need to pass the Series 65 exam or have a valid Series 7 and Series 66, as this is required by most states.
Having taken and passed both, I can say that without a doubt the CPA exam is more difficult, and for one primary reason… breadth of subject matter. The Series 7 is 3 hours and 45 minutes, is comprised of 125 questions, and has a pass rate of approximately 70%.
Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $86,000 | $41 |
75th Percentile | $61,000 | $29 |
Average | $57,583 | $28 |
25th Percentile | $40,000 | $19 |
If you have any financial certifications, such as a FINRA 7 or a Chartered Financial Analyst certification, hiring managers and job recruiters will want to know about them, so make sure you highlight them. Keeping your resume short makes it easy for readers to see exactly what you offer.
Though FINRA doesn't publish a pass rate for the Series 7 exams, it is widely accepted to be around 65%.
Permitted Activities. A candidate who passes the Series 7 exam is qualified for the solicitation, purchase and/or sale of all securities products, including corporate securities, municipal fund securities, options, direct participation programs, investment company products and variable contracts.
How to make money with a Series 7?
- Registered Representative/Stockbroker. ...
- Mutual Funds Broker. ...
- Client Service Role. ...
- Paraplanner. ...
- Investment Banking Analyst. ...
- Compliance Officer. ...
- Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) ...
- Portfolio Manager.
While all CFPs are financial advisors, not all advisors are CFPs. To become a CFP, an advisor must hold a Series 65 securities license, complete coursework through a CFP Board registered program, and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
How long do I need to study for the Series 7 Exam? When preparing to take the Series 7 exam, you should plan to study for 80-90 hours. Typically, candidates study over the course of 4-6 weeks. The time you need to spend preparing for the exam varies depending on your familiarity with the material.
The Key Differences. Fiduciary standard: RIAs are fiduciaries, always required to act in their customers' best interests. While some financial advisors may also be fiduciaries, not all are bound by this duty. Compensation: As fiduciaries, RIAs typically use fee-only or fee-based models.
Series 7 license is a must for anyone seeking a career in the securities industry. It allows individuals to engage in various activities, including public offerings and private placements of corporate securities. The Series 7 license is important for individuals who intend to work in the securities industry.
The Series 7 is a license, comparable to those you have to earn to sell real estate or insurance. Anyone who is a stockbroker must hold the Series 7 license. While also intense, this exam is generally believed to be significantly less difficult than the CFA.
1. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.
Here is a list of some of the toughest exams in world, based on various factors such as difficulty level, competition, and passing rate: United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
If you see that your financial advisor holds a FINRA Series 7 license, know that they are not required to act as a fiduciary. They passed the General Securities Representative Qualification Examination (GS) administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
- Broker. Salary range: $45,000-$131,500 per year. ...
- Commodity Broker. Salary range: $97,500-$112,500 per year. ...
- Energy Broker. Salary range: $60,500-$78,000 per year. ...
- Associate Broker. Salary range: $44,000-$73,500 per year. ...
- Stock Broker. ...
- Broker Assistant. ...
- Brokerage Clerk.
How many people pass the Series 7?
How Many People Pass the Series 7? Around 6.5 out of 10 people, or 65%, will pass the Series 7 exam on the first try. The first-time pass rate for the Series 7 has been between 60% and 70% for the past few years.
Disqualification of a Series 7 License
You are convicted of certain misdemeanors and any felony within a period of ten years from the date of conviction. A court of competent jurisdiction issued against you a temporary or permanent injunction involving a broad range of unlawful investment activities.
The Series 7 License is one of the most prestigious in the financial services industry; it is also one of the most difficult. It allows license holders the most options when it comes to marketing and selling securities products, but it requires the most work to obtain.
The Series 7 is a mammoth of an exam, it boasts 250 multiple choice questions, with an additional 10 test questions that are not scored and lasts 360 minutes or 6 hours, if my math is correct. The passing score is 72%, considerably higher than the usual 60% college standard.
Series 7 is for entry-level, registered representatives. That means if you want to be any kind of general securities representative, broker or dealer and want to buy or sell pretty much any kind of financial securities, options or contracts, you'll need to pass the Series 7.