Understanding the
SIE Exam: What it Means For the Financial Services Industry

The SIE Exam is an introductory-level FINRA exam for prospective industry professionals and its purpose is to assess a candidate’s basic knowledge of securities industry topics that are fundamental to working in the industry. The SIE Exam is unlike traditional securities exams because test takers are not required to be sponsored or employed by a broker-dealer. However, passing the SIE Exam doesn’t qualify a person for registration with a firm.

To engage in securities business, a person must pass the SIE Exam and also an appropriate qualification exam, such as the Series 6, 7, 57, or 79. A person can only take a qualification exam if sponsorship/employment by a member firm has been obtained.

 At this point, it’s not yet clear what the SIE Exam’s impact and value will be on industry recruiting and continuing education, or its importance within established firms and organizations.

Learn more about the SIE and what it means for the financial services industry.