The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam is a FINRA entry-level exam covering basic financial industry knowledge (products, risks, structure, regulation, prohibited practices). Open to anyone 18+ without firm sponsorship, it costs $80-$100, requires a 70% passing score on 75 questions in 1hr 45min, and results are valid for four years.
Key Details Target Audience: Students, career changers, or those seeking entry-level roles. Exam Structure: 75 multiple-choice questions (plus 10 experimental, unscored questions). Content Sections: Capital Markets (16%), Products and Risks (44%), Trading/Customer Accounts (31%), Regulatory Framework (9%). Preparation: Considered entry-level, but requires study of industry jargon and regulations. Next Steps: Passing the SIE is the first step; it does not qualify individuals to trade securities. A "top-off" exam (e.g., Series 7) and association with a firm are required to be fully registered.
Eligibility & Validity No prerequisites are required. The result is valid for 4 years.
Registration & Cost Register through the FINRA website. Cost is approximately $80-$100.
Related: Series 7 Exam
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