FINRA’s mission is to protect investors and to safeguard the integrity of our capital markets so that everyone can invest with confidence. To ensure that is possible, FINRA requires member firms to be appropriately registered. Member firms’ associated persons must be registered with FINRA, pass qualifying exams and complete prescribed continuing education assignments.
Registration
Firms and individuals must be registered with FINRA to conduct securities business with the investing public. FINRA operates the Central Registration Depository program (CRD), that supports the licensing and registration filing requirements of the U.S. securities industry and its regulators. The CRD program covers the registration records of broker-dealer firms, branch offices and their associated individuals, including their qualification, employment and disclosure histories. Since 2020, the uniform registration filing requirements of CRD are being integrated into FINRA's modern compliance portal, FINRA Gateway. This multi-year process is ongoing.
Qualification Exams
Individuals associated with a member firm must pass qualifying exams administered by FINRA to demonstrate their competence in the particular securities activities in which they will work.
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam can be taken by individuals not sponsored by or associated with a member firm. Passing the SIE alone does not qualify the individual for registration with a FINRA member firm or to engage in the securities business. The individual must pass the SIE and a qualification exam appropriate for the type of business the individual will engage in. They must be associated with a member firm to take a qualification exam.
Continuing Education
In conjunction with other self-regulatory organizations and the Securities Industry/Regulatory Council on Continuing Education, FINRA administers the continuing education (CE) program for the securities industry. Individuals are required to complete continuing education annually for each registration they hold.
Manage Your Career
If you're looking to get started in the financial services industry, or if you are already a registered representative see what’s next.