Series 7

Series 7

Offered by FINRA

The Series 7 (General Securities Representative Qualification Examination) is a FINRA license that qualifies you to sell a broad range of securities...

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Series 7 exam at a glance

Format

125 scored multiple-choice questions (plus 5 unidentified pretest items)

Duration

225 minutes (3 hours 45 minutes)

Delivery

Prometric test center (limited online proctoring)

Passing score

72%

Exam cost

$395 USD

Validity

Remains valid while you're registered; lapses ~2 years after leaving a member firm (with some extensions)

Prerequisites

Sponsorship by a FINRA-member firm (Form U4) and the SIE exam as a corequisite

About the Series 7 certification

The Series 7 (General Securities Representative Qualification Examination) is a FINRA license that qualifies you to sell a broad range of securities products. It's one of the most widely required exams in the financial-services industry.

You must also pass the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam — a corequisite — and be sponsored by a FINRA-member firm to register.

Who it’s for: Aspiring stockbrokers and registered representatives at broker-dealers.

Official exam page· Details verified 2026-08

What the Series 7 exam covers
  • Seeks business for the broker-dealer
    7%
  • Opens accounts / evaluates customer profiles
    9%
  • Provides information, makes recommendations, transfers assets
    73%
  • Processes and confirms transactions
    11%
How to study for the Series 7
  1. 1Secure firm sponsorship — you can't register for the Series 7 without it.
  2. 2Pass (or plan to pass) the SIE corequisite exam.
  3. 3Study products in depth: equities, debt, options, packaged products, and municipals.
  4. 4Practice the heavily weighted recommendations/suitability job function.
  5. 5Take full-length, timed practice exams to build stamina for the 3h45m format.
Series 7 — frequently asked questions

Do I need a sponsor to take the Series 7?

Yes. You must be sponsored by a FINRA-member firm, which files a Form U4 to open your enrollment window.

What's the difference between the SIE and Series 7?

The SIE is a broad, no-sponsor-required entry exam. The Series 7 is deeper and applied, requires sponsorship, and both must be passed to register as a General Securities Representative.