Choosing your how to become a financial advisor comes down to matching the exam to your role. This guide separates the introductory SIE, the FINRA representative exams, and the NASAA state-law and adviser exams, then points you to securities exam prep providers — including current CertLaunch partner pricing — so you can compare before you buy.
Securities exam overview
There is no single "financial advisor license." The exams you need depend on whether you give investment advice, sell securities, or both — which usually comes down to two routes: the Series 65 on its own, or the Series 7 paired with the Series 66.
Start with the exam decision
Confirm the exam first, then compare providers. Once you know which exam you need, the securities exam prep comparison shows providers, packages, and current CertLaunch partner pricing in one place so you do not overpay.
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What licenses do financial advisors need?32
The phrase "financial advisor" covers different regulated roles, and the required exams follow the role. Someone who gives investment advice for a fee is an investment adviser representative and qualifies through a NASAA adviser exam. Someone who sells securities through a broker-dealer is a registered representative and qualifies through FINRA exams. Many advisors do both.
That is why there is no one exam. Instead, most candidates choose between two common routes.
Route 1: the Series 65 (advisory only)3
If you plan to provide investment advice through a registered investment adviser without selling securities as a broker, the Series 65 is the standalone path. It is a NASAA exam that needs no sponsor and no SIE, which makes it common for fee-based and advisory-only roles.
It is the most demanding of the NASAA exams (130 scored questions, 92 to pass), so plan for a real study block.
Route 2: the Series 7 plus the Series 6623
Advisors who work through a broker-dealer and both sell securities and give advice often take the Series 7 (with the SIE corequisite and firm sponsorship) plus the Series 66, which combines state agent and adviser law. This route requires a sponsoring firm because of the Series 7.
For someone already committed to the Series 7, the Series 66 can be more efficient than taking the Series 63 and Series 65 separately.
How to choose your route and prepare32
Start with the role: advisory-only usually points to the Series 65; a broker-dealer path that also gives advice usually points to the Series 7 plus the Series 66. Your firm, state, and any professional designations (like the CFP) can change the details, so confirm before you buy prep.
Once you know your route, compare providers on the financial advisor path page and the exam pages. Two carry CertLaunch partner pricing: Kaplan Financial Education (20% off) and ExamFX / Training Consultants (30% off with code Cert30).
Compare securities exam prep providers
Once you know your exam, use the securities exam prep comparison to see current package prices, provider formats, and available CertLaunch partner pricing. Compare before you buy instead of paying the first list price you see.
Compare securities exam prep providers side-by-side — with available partner pricing.
Review provider format, package level, exam-prep support, current price, and discount workflow in one place before you enroll.
Securities exam FAQs
What licenses do financial advisors need?32
It depends on the role. Advisory-only representatives typically qualify through the Series 65. Advisors who also sell securities through a broker-dealer typically take the Series 7 plus the Series 66. Your firm and state determine the exact requirements.
Do financial advisors need the Series 7?23
Not always. A standalone investment adviser representative can qualify through the Series 65 without the Series 7. The Series 7 is needed for broker-dealer securities sales and for the Series 66 route.
Should a financial advisor take the Series 65 or the Series 66?3
Take the Series 65 for an advisory-only role with no Series 7. Take the Series 66 when you are also taking the Series 7 and need both agent and adviser registration.
Does the Series 65 require a sponsor?3
No. The Series 65 can be taken without firm sponsorship or the SIE, which is why it is common for advisory-only roles. State registration still depends on the firm and role.
How do you become a financial advisor?32
Confirm your role, pick the matching exam route (Series 65, or Series 7 plus Series 66), pass the exams, and register through your firm and state. Prep provider choice is where you control cost.
Sources and citations
CertLaunch uses official state, application, exam-vendor, statute, and administrative-code sources for regulated licensing facts. Verify details before forms, exams, fingerprints, or renewal.
- 1Official sourceFINRA qualification examshttps://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams ↗
- 2Official sourceFINRA Series 7 examhttps://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/series7 ↗
- 3Official sourceNASAA examshttps://www.nasaa.org/exams/ ↗