FINRA Exam Career Paths: Which License Do You Need for Your Target Role?
Last updated May 2026. This article answers the specific questions candidates search for when preparing for FINRA licensing exams.
Career-to-Exam Map
If you are preparing for a FINRA licensing exam, you probably have specific questions about what the exam covers, how hard it is, and the best way to study. This article addresses those questions directly.
This section covers career-to-exam map. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
Financial Advisor / Wealth Manager
This section covers financial advisor / wealth manager. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
Investment Banking
This section covers investment banking. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
Trader / Sales and Trading
This section covers trader / sales and trading. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
Compliance and Supervision
This section covers compliance and supervision. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
Municipal Finance
This section covers municipal finance. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
Futures and Commodities
This section covers futures and commodities. For the full exam breakdown, see our complete exam guide library.
FAQ
FAQ
Most financial advisors need the Series 7 (for brokerage) plus the Series 66 (for advisory). If you only give advice and do not execute trades, the Series 65 may be sufficient.
Yes. The SIE is the entry-level prerequisite for all FINRA qualification exams. The only exception is if you have a qualifying professional designation like the CFA or CFP.
The Series 79 (Investment Banking Representative) is the primary exam. You also need the SIE as a prerequisite.
No. Branch managers typically need the Series 24 (General Securities Principal) in addition to the Series 7.
Written by
Fraser Exam Editorial Team
FINRA and securities licensing exam specialists
The FraserExam editorial team reviews public regulator pages, official content outlines, and candidate performance patterns to keep study guides practical and current.