Get sponsored by top broker dealer firms and receive comprehensive Series 7 exam preparation with expert guidance
We connect aspiring financial advisors with companies that sponsor Series 7 licenses — handling everything from firm matching to exam day support.
Connect with broker dealer firms offering Series 7 sponsorship in your area.
View state-specific Series 7 sponsor firms, salary ranges, and local financial market data
To take the Series 7 exam, you need a FINRA-registered broker dealer to sponsor you. FATN works with 500+ Series 7 sponsor firms — from national wirehouses to independent broker-dealers — so you can find the right fit without searching alone.
Large national firms like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS
LPL Financial, Raymond James, Ameriprise and similar firms
Local and regional broker-dealers in your area
Insurance-affiliated broker-dealers offering full sponsorship
The Series 7 license is your gateway to becoming a General Securities Representative
The Series 7 exam, administered by FINRA, qualifies you to sell corporate securities, municipal bonds, options, variable contracts, and more. It's the most comprehensive securities license available.
Financial advisors, stockbrokers, investment representatives, and wealth managers all require Series 7 certification to legally advise clients and execute trades.
Regulated by FINRA, the Series 7 license ensures professionals meet strict standards for knowledge, ethics, and client protection.
Everything you need to know about the Series 7 exam format, structure, duration, and requirements
Multiple choice format covering all securities topics
3 hours 45 minutes total Series 7 exam duration
Computer-based exam at Prometric centers
Common & preferred stock, rights, warrants, ADRs
Corporate & government bonds, municipal securities
Calls, puts, strategies, taxation, risk management
Account types, regulations, documentation
FINRA rules, SEC regulations, compliance
Portfolio theory, risk assessment, suitability
⏱️ Series 7 Study Plan & Preparation Timeline
Most candidates study 2-3 months with 15-20 hours per week. Intensive programs can prepare you in 4-6 weeks with dedicated full-time study.
Proven Series 7 exam tips from candidates who passed on their first attempt
Create a structured daily schedule. Allocate more time to high-weight topics like Equity Securities (23%) and Options (18%). Consistency beats cramming every time.
Take full-length Series 7 practice tests under timed conditions. Aim for 80%+ on practice exams before scheduling your real test. Review every wrong answer.
Track your scores by topic. If options or regulations are dragging you down, dedicate extra sessions to those Series 7 exam topics before moving on.
Study with a partner or join a study group. Our coaches provide weekly check-ins to keep you on track with your Series 7 exam prep schedule.
The Series 7 tests application, not just recall. Focus on understanding why rules exist — especially for suitability, options strategies, and margin accounts.
Don't cram the night before. Sleep well, eat a good breakfast, and arrive early. The Series 7 exam duration is 3h 45m — mental stamina matters.
Our proven 4-step process connects you with reputable broker dealer sponsor firms and gets you licensed
Submit your application and complete our career readiness assessment. We evaluate your background, goals, and qualifications to match you with the right Series 7 sponsoring firm.
We connect you with 2-3 FINRA-registered broker dealer firms in your area. You'll interview with each firm to find the best cultural and professional fit for your career.
Once sponsored, you'll receive access to comprehensive Series 7 study materials, practice exams, and expert tutoring. Most firms cover exam fees and provide paid study time.
Take the Series 7 exam with confidence. After passing, you'll begin your career with ongoing mentorship, training, and support from your sponsoring firm.
Comprehensive Series 7 study guide resources and structured coaching to ensure you pass on your first attempt
Customized Series 7 study plans tailored to your availability, whether you're studying full-time or balancing work and family commitments.
One-on-one coaching sessions with experienced Series 7 professionals who keep you motivated and on track throughout your Series 7 exam preparation.
Access to thousands of Series 7 practice test questions and full-length simulated exams that mirror the actual Series 7 testing experience.
Apply now and we'll connect you with Series 7 sponsor firms in your area
Join hundreds of aspiring financial advisors who found their Series 7 sponsorship through FATN
Everything you need to know about Series 7 exam sponsorship, requirements, and preparation
Answers to the most common questions about getting sponsored, passing the exam, and launching your career
You don't need a finance background to get Series 7 sponsorship. Many broker dealer firms actively recruit career changers — teachers, military veterans, sales professionals, and recent graduates. FATN matches you with firms that sponsor entry-level candidates and provide paid training programs. The key requirements are a clean background check, strong interpersonal skills, and genuine motivation.
From application to passing the exam, expect 3–5 months total. FATN's average firm placement time is 30 days. After placement, your sponsoring firm files Form U4 with FINRA (1–2 weeks), then you study for 8–12 weeks. Most candidates study 15–20 hours per week. Intensive candidates can compress this to 4–6 weeks with full-time dedication.
Series 7 licensed financial advisors earn $72,000–$195,000+ depending on location, firm, and experience. Entry-level advisors typically earn $52,000–$75,000 in base salary plus commissions. Mid-career advisors with established books of business earn $90,000–$150,000. Top producers at major wirehouses earn $250,000–$500,000+. The Series 7 license is the gateway to unlimited earning potential.
To qualify for Series 7 sponsorship, you need: (1) a FINRA-registered broker dealer willing to sponsor you, (2) a clean background check (no felonies, no securities violations), (3) completion of Form U4 through FINRA's Web CRD system, and (4) payment of the $245 exam fee (usually covered by the sponsoring firm). No prior finance experience or degree is required.
Any FINRA-registered broker dealer can sponsor Series 7 candidates. This includes national wirehouses (Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Wells Fargo Advisors), independent broker-dealers (LPL Financial, Raymond James, Ameriprise Financial, Edward Jones), regional firms, and insurance-affiliated broker-dealers (Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, MassMutual). FATN works with 500+ firms across all 50 states.
The Series 7 allows you to sell securities (stocks, bonds, options, variable products) and requires broker dealer sponsorship. The Series 65 qualifies you as an Investment Adviser Representative and can be taken without sponsorship. Many advisors hold both licenses. If you want to work at a broker dealer and earn commissions, start with Series 7. If you prefer fee-only advisory work, the Series 65 may be your path.
From exam costs to career changers to remote sponsorship — everything you need to know before you apply
The Series 7 exam fee is $245, paid to FINRA at registration. In most cases, your sponsoring broker dealer covers this cost as part of your onboarding package. Some firms also reimburse prep course costs ($200–$600) and provide paid study time. When evaluating sponsoring firms, always ask whether exam fees and study materials are covered — most reputable firms include these as standard.
If you fail the Series 7, FINRA requires a 30-day waiting period before your first and second retakes. After a third failure, the wait extends to 180 days. There is no limit on total attempts. Each retake requires a new $245 exam fee. FATN's 95% first-time pass rate means most candidates never face a retake — but if you do, our coaches help you identify weak areas and build a targeted 30-day comeback plan.
Yes — remote Series 7 sponsorship is increasingly common. Many broker dealers now hire and sponsor candidates in states where they don't have a physical office, provided you meet state registration requirements. Remote-sponsored advisors typically work from home or a shared office space and serve clients virtually. FATN works with remote-friendly firms across all 50 states, making sponsorship accessible regardless of your location.
Career changers are among the most successful financial advisors. Teachers bring client education skills. Military veterans bring discipline and trust. Sales professionals bring prospecting and closing skills. Healthcare workers bring empathy and relationship depth. Broker dealers actively recruit from these backgrounds because the skills transfer directly to client-facing advisory work. No finance experience is required — your sponsoring firm provides all the technical training.
The SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam is a co-requisite to the Series 7, introduced by FINRA in 2018. Unlike the Series 7, the SIE can be taken without firm sponsorship — anyone 18+ can register. Most candidates take the SIE first (or simultaneously with the Series 7) since the content overlaps significantly. Passing the SIE before finding a sponsor demonstrates commitment to potential employers and gives you a 4-year window to complete the Series 7.
The best Series 7 sponsorship arrangements include paid training time — meaning you're on salary while you study. Wirehouses like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and UBS typically offer 3–6 month paid training programs. Independent broker dealers vary widely. When evaluating offers, ask specifically: Is study time paid? Are exam fees covered? Is there a training salary or draw against commissions? FATN helps you compare offers and negotiate the best terms.
Your earning potential grows significantly as you build experience, expand your client base, and establish your reputation in the market.
Salary ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual compensation varies by firm, location, and individual performance.
Fully compliant training
Industry recognized
20+ years experience
Ongoing career guidance
Join hundreds of aspiring financial advisors who found their broker dealer sponsorship through FATN