Series 7 vs Series 63: the facts
| Series 7 | Series 63 | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | General Securities Representative Exam | Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam |
| Owner | FINRA | NASAA exam administered by FINRA |
| Scored questions | 125 (+5 unscored) | 60 (+5 unscored) |
| Time | 3 hr 45 min | 75 min |
| To pass | 72 (scaled) | 43 of 60 correct (about 72%) |
| Exam fee | $395 | $147 |
| Sponsor required | Yes | No |
| Prerequisite | Firm sponsorship; SIE is a co-requisite for registration | None |
| Online testing | Test center; online only with an approved accommodation | Test center; NASAA allows online testing only by accommodation |
| Our prep (12 months) | $39 (every exam) | $39 (every exam) |
- 1,706 original questions across 6 exams
- Section drills + timed full-length exams
- 12 months, one-time - emailed to you after purchase
Your course access is emailed to you after purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy
What each one lets you do
The Series 7 is federal/SRO qualification: FINRA registration as a General Securities Representative. The Series 63 covers state law, which most states require before you act as an agent of a broker-dealer there. To give fee-based advice you need the Series 65 or 66 as well.
Which should you take?
| If... | Take |
|---|---|
| Commission-based broker | SIE + 7 + 63. |
| Broker who may add advisory fees later | Consider SIE + 7 + 66 now instead of adding the 65 later. |
Cost of each path (exam fees)
| Path | Note | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| SIE | FINRA | $100 |
| Series 7 | FINRA | $395 |
| Series 63 | NASAA | $147 |
Total | $642 |
Not sure?
SIE to Series 66 prep course - $39
SIE, Series 6, 7, 63, 65 and 66 in one prep course: 1,706 outline-weighted practice questions with explanations, section drills and timed full-length exams. One-time payment, 12 months of access, emailed to you after purchase.
Your course access is emailed to you after purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the Series 63 before the Series 7?
Yes. The 63 has no prerequisite and can be taken without a sponsor, though it is only useful alongside a representative registration.
Do all states require the Series 63?
Most do. Your firm’s registration team will tell you which states need it for your registration.
Sources
- FINRA - Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam (accessed 2026-09-23)
- FINRA - Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NASAA - Exam FAQs (accessed 2026-09-23)