the series 7 exam licenses the holder to sell all types of securities products except commodities and futures known formally as the general securities representative qualification examination the series 7 exam and its licensing is administered by the financial industry regulatory authority finra 1
stockbrokers in the united states need to pass the series 7 exam to obtain a license to trade the series 7 exam focuses on investment risk taxation equity and debt instruments packaged securities options retirement plans and interactions with clients for prospective securities industry professionals 2 this introductory level exam assesses a candidate s knowledge of basic securities industry information including concepts fundamental to working in the industry 1the purpose of the series 7 license is to set a level of competency for a registered representative or stockbroker to work in the securities industry the series 7 license is an essential requirement for an entry level broker the licensing exam covers an extensive range of financial terms and topics as well as securities regulations 1candidates who pass the series 7 exam can trade many securities such as stocks mutual funds options municipal securities and variable contracts the series 7 license does not cover selling real estate or life insurance products 1 in addition to obtaining the series 7 license many states require that registered representatives pass the series 63 exam also called the uniform securities agent state law exam 34series 7 requirementssince oct 1 2018 series 7 candidates are required to pass the securities industry essentials sie exam as well as the series 7 exam in order to receive the general securities registration 15 according to finra the sie is an introductory level exam that assesses a candidate s knowledge of basic securities industry information including concepts fundamental to working in the industry such as types of products and their risks the structure of the securities industry markets regulatory agencies and their functions and prohibited practices if you need more information on the sie finra s sie exam content outline provides more details 6candidates who want to take the series 7 exam must be sponsored by a finra member firm or other applicable self regulatory organization sro member firm the member firm must file a form u4 uniform application for securities industry registration or transfer form for the candidate to be registered for the licensing exam non finra members should use the test enrollment services system tess in order to register for the exam 7 finra governs the activities of securities firms and registered brokers ensuring that anyone who sells securities products is qualified and tested 1candidates who want to take the series 7 exam must be sponsored by a finra member firm or other applicable self regulatory organization sro member firm 1series 7 exam structurethe series 7 is structured as follows the series 7 exam has 125 multiple choice questions lasts 225 minutes and cost 300 the passing score is 72 1prior to oct 1 2018 the series 7 exam contained 250 questions covering five major job functions 8 the exam duration was six hours had no prerequisites and cost 305 a score of 72 was required to pass finra does not provide candidates with any physical certificate as proof of exam completion current or potential employers who wish to view proof of completion must access this information through finra s central registration depository crd 9completion of the series 7 exam is a prerequisite for many other securities licenses such as the series 24 which permits the candidate to supervise and manage broker activities 10