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Finance & Securities

Finance & Securities

There are 9 finance & securities credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 9 national certifications awarded by a single body, and 0 licences issued by individual state boards across 0 states.

FINRA series exams, CFA, CFP, banking, treasury and mortgage licensing.

Credentials: 9
Specialisms: 3
National: 9

How do the main finance & securities credentials compare?

Verified figures for 9 of the national finance & securities credentials, drawn from each awarding body's published material. Fees change — confirm with the body before you book.

Credential	Awarded by	Exam fee	Length	Pass mark
Securities Industry Essentials Exam	Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)	$100 (raised from $80 in January 2026)	105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes)	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
Series 6 Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam	Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)	~$75-$100 (set by FINRA; firms may add administration fees)	90 minutes	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam	North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)	~$147 (set by FINRA)	75 minutes	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam	North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)	~$187	180 minutes (3 hours)	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam	North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)	~$177	150 minutes (2.5 hours)	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam	Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)	~$395	225 minutes (3 hours 45 minutes)	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
CFA Program Level I Exam	CFA Institute	~$990 early registration / ~$1,290 standard (pricing depends on the registration window)	4.5 hours total (two sessions of 2.25 hours)	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
CFA Program Level II Exam	CFA Institute	~$990 early registration / ~$1,290 standard (pricing depends on the registration window)	4 hours 24 minutes (two sessions of 2h12m)	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report
CFP Certification Examination	Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards	~$925 exam	Full day, 3 sessions	Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report

FINRA & Securities Licensing 6 credentials

Investment & Portfolio Management 2 credentials

Financial Planning & Advice 1 credential

CFP Certification Examination CFP Certification Examination — Finance & Securities credential from Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Exam

Frequently asked questions about finance & securities credentials

How many finance & securities credentials are there?

There are 9 finance & securities credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 9 national certifications awarded by a single body, and 0 licences issued by individual state boards across 0 states.

How much do finance & securities exams cost?

Across the 9 national finance & securities credentials we have verified fee data for, exam fees run from $75–$990. Renewal, membership and study-material costs are additional and vary by awarding body — each guide breaks out its own full cost table.

Do you need a certification to work in finance & securities?

None of the 9 credentials in this field is a state-issued licence — all 9 are national certifications awarded by a professional body. That usually means the certification is not legally mandatory, but employers, insurers or clients may require it as a condition of the work.

Which finance & securities credential should you start with?

Start with the one your target employer or state board names. The most widely recognised national options in this field are Securities Industry Essentials Exam, Series 6 Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam, Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam — each has a full guide with eligibility rules, fees and a week-by-week study plan.

How often do finance & securities requirements change?

Fees are revised most years and eligibility rules change whenever a state legislature or awarding body acts. Every guide on TestPrepPilot links to the primary regulatory source it was verified against, and the "Sources" section is the authoritative place to confirm current figures before you book.