Comment Period Ends: Concept Proposal to Restructure Qualification Examination Program

The comment period ends July 27, 2015 on FINRAs concept proposal to restructure the registered representative-level qualification examination program into a format whereby all potential representative-level registrants would take a general knowledge examination and an appropriate specialized knowledge examination to reflect their particular registered role. For purposes of the proposal, the general knowledge examination would  be called the Securities Industry Essentials Examination (SIE). SIE content would include knowledge fundamental to working in the securities industry, such as basic product knowledge; structure and functioning of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and their functions; and regulated and prohibited practices. Individuals taking the SIE would not need to be associated with a FINRA member firm and a passing result on the SIE would be valid for four years. Each specialized knowledge examination would correlate to a current representative examination and registration position (e.g., Series 7 and General Securities Representative) and would test content specific to that registration category or job function. In addition, several of the current registration categories would be retired. This Notice seeks comment on the proposal from the industry and other interested persons. Regulatory Notice 15-20.