Series 7 vs Series 66: the facts
| Series 7 | Series 66 | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | General Securities Representative Exam | Uniform Combined State Law Exam |
| Owner | FINRA | NASAA exam administered by FINRA |
| Scored questions | 125 (+5 unscored) | 100 (+10 unscored) |
| Time | 3 hr 45 min | 2 hr 30 min |
| To pass | 72 (scaled) | 73 of 100 correct (73%) |
| Exam fee | $395 | $177 |
| Sponsor required | Yes | No |
| Prerequisite | Firm sponsorship; SIE is a co-requisite for registration | None to sit; Series 7 (and SIE) must be valid when you register |
| 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 (FINRA, sponsor required) qualifies you to sell most securities for a broker-dealer. The Series 66 (NASAA) adds state agent registration and IAR registration. It is a common combination for advisors at wirehouses and hybrid firms. The 66 requires the Series 7 as a co-requisite for registration.
Which should you take?
| If... | Take |
|---|---|
| You want commissions and fees | SIE + Series 7 + Series 66. |
| Your firm is broker-only | SIE + Series 7 + Series 63 is enough. |
| You already have 7 + 63 | Add the Series 65 rather than the 66. |
Cost of each path (exam fees)
| Path | Note | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| SIE | FINRA | $100 |
| Series 7 | FINRA | $395 |
| Series 66 | NASAA | $177 |
Total | $672 |
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
What order should I take the Series 7 and 66?
Most people take the SIE, then the Series 7, then the 66, because the 66 assumes Series 7 product knowledge. NASAA does not require the 7 first to sit for the 66.
Is the Series 7 and 66 enough to be a financial advisor?
For most dual-registered roles, yes, plus any state or insurance licenses your firm requires.
Sources
- FINRA - Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam (accessed 2026-09-23)
- FINRA - Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NASAA - Exam FAQs (accessed 2026-09-23)