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Compare Licensing Exams

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The SIE comes before the Series 6 and the Series 7, and anyone 18 or older can take it without a sponsoring firm. The Series 63, 65 and 66 are state exams, and NASAA treats passing the Series 66 as equivalent to passing both the Series 63 and the Series 65. The CFP, ChFC, CLU and CFA are separate credentials with no required order.

  • Series 65 vs Series 66

    The Series 65 meets the exam requirement for investment adviser representative registration in most states. The Series 66 meets the exam requirement for registration as both a securities agent and an investment adviser representative, and the SIE and the Series 7 are co-requisites for registering with the Series 66.

  • Series 7 vs Series 24

    The Series 7 is an entry-level representative registration. The Series 24 is a principal registration, and candidates must already hold or concurrently register for a qualifying representative-level registration, such as the Series 7.

  • SIE vs Series 7

    The SIE is open to anyone 18 or older with no firm sponsorship. The Series 7 requires passing the SIE as a co-requisite and sponsorship by a FINRA member firm.

  • Series 63 vs Series 65

    The Series 63 is the state registration exam for broker-dealer agents. The Series 65 is the state registration qualification for investment adviser representatives.

  • CFP vs CFA Level I

    The CFP is a voluntary financial-planning certification administered by CFP Board. The CFA Level I exam is the first of three sequential exams required for the CFA charter from CFA Institute.

  • CLU vs ChFC

    Both designations are conferred by The American College of Financial Services and are completed through required courses, each with its own proctored final exam. The CLU requires 4 courses (2 for candidates who already hold the CFP or ChFC), and the ChFC requires 8.

  • Series 66 vs Series 63 + Series 65

    NASAA states that passing the Series 66 is equivalent to having passed both the Series 63 and the Series 65. The Series 66 is one exam; the other route is two separate exams.

  • SIE vs Series 6

    The SIE is open to anyone 18 or older with no firm sponsorship. The Series 6 requires the SIE as a corequisite and association with a FINRA member firm.

  • Series 7 vs Series 6

    Both are FINRA representative exams that require the SIE as a corequisite and firm association. The Series 7 covers a broad range of securities products; the Series 6 is limited to investment company and variable contracts products.

  • CFP vs ChFC

    The CFP is a voluntary certification administered by CFP Board, completed with a single exam plus education and experience requirements. The ChFC is conferred by The American College of Financial Services through 8 required courses.