Anyone have a Series 7/63 License?

jf198400

My DH currently works in sales for a company that provides financial software and data.  He is working in Manhattan but I'd love for him to eventually find a job around Philly (we live in PA and his commute is terrible).  In casual job searching it looks like he might need to get the Series 7, 63, or other licenses.

Can anyone tell me how difficult these are to obtain?  What is the process like?  Did you take any kind of study course?  Are you able to take the tests at any time?  Thanks in advance for your help!

oooCarrieB

I have my series 7 and 63. The 7 is pretty hard. I recommend taking the week long prep course and studying a lot!! I took it while doing my MBA so I was in study mode. I wouldn't want to do it again now.

LALASEPT05

I have the 7 and 63. They are not terrible difficult but they do require some studying. Kaplan has study courses for both of them I believe. The 7 is a week long course and the 63 is a day or so. I believe to take the exams you have to register with FINRA and be sponsored by a broker dealer. So likely if he's looking for a job the company that hires him will need to sort of sponsor him. I don't know that you can just register to take the exam without a sponsor firm but am not positive on that.

oooCarrieB

LALASEPT05:

I believe to take the exams you have to register with FINRA and be sponsored by a broker dealer. So likely if he's looking for a job the company that hires him will need to sort of sponsor him. I don't know that you can just register to take the exam without a sponsor firm but am not positive on that.

This. You need to be sponsored by a firm to take the tests.

mae0111

I had my 6 and 63 until about a year ago, when my firm decided it wasn't essential to my job function and let it lapse.  The 63 was pretty easy.  I studied for a day or so.  I started looking at the 7, and it looked much harder - just lots of material.  I agree that a prep course would help.

And as other posters mentioned, you have to be sponsored to take it.  If he's working with financial data, and his current firm has the proper infrastructure in place to sponsor and maintain licenses, he may be able to make the case that it would help him in his current function if he took it now.

Dochas

The 7 is hard, the 63 is easy.  It would be great if he could convince his firm to get him licensed as it's easier to look if you're already registered.  A firm that hires with the expectation of you becoming licensed will generally give you 6 months to prepare for and pass the test.  They usually pay for the fees and study materials, but some won't pay for the class.  The class is a very good idea.