Financial Services
FINRA Series 65Uniform Investment Adviser Law
FINRA Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination) is a NASAA exam administered by FINRA that qualifies individuals to act as Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs). Unlike Series 6/7 which cover broker-dealer sales, Series 65 covers fee-based advisory work under fiduciary standard. No firm sponsorship required to sit, making it the standard pathway for independent RIAs.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the FINRA Series 65 exam.
- Passing score
- 72% (94 of 130 scored questions)
- Format & length
- 140 questions (130 scored + 10 unscored) · 180 minutes
- Voucher cost
- $187 USD
- Prerequisites
- None required (no SIE, no firm sponsorship); CFP, ChFC, PFS, CFA, or CIC charterholders may qualify for a Series 65 waiver in most states
- Validity
- Active while registered as an IAR; lapses 2 years after termination
Exam facts sourced from the official FINRA certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
What’s tested
Key topics on the FINRA Series 65 exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official FINRA Series 65 exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Economic Factors and Business Information (15%)
- Investment Vehicle Characteristics (25%)
- Client Investment Recommendations and Strategies (30%)
- Laws, Regulations and Guidelines (including Prohibition on Unethical Business Practices) (30%)
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Independent financial advisors, RIA founders, and bank/wirehouse refugees launching fee-only practices. CFP and CFA candidates frequently take Series 65 because it's the regulatory-side credential their charter doesn't include.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
Series 65 is the on-ramp to fee-only fiduciary advice — the structural advantage of the RIA channel over commission-based broker-dealer work. Because it requires no firm sponsorship, it's the exam any career-changer can self-fund and self-schedule. CFP holders typically pair it with their charter to launch a hybrid planning + investment practice.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
400 questions covering every objective on the official FINRA Series 65 exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking FINRA Series 65 unlocks every other Financial Services exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
FINRA Series 65 articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about FINRA Series 65
What is the FINRA Series 65 exam?
FINRA Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination) is a NASAA exam administered by FINRA that qualifies individuals to act as Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs). Unlike Series 6/7 which cover broker-dealer sales, Series 65 covers fee-based advisory work under fiduciary standard.
How many questions are on the FINRA Series 65 exam, and how long is it?
140 questions (130 scored + 10 unscored) · 180 minutes
What is the passing score for the FINRA Series 65 exam?
72% (94 of 130 scored questions)
How much does the FINRA Series 65 exam cost?
$187 USD
Are there prerequisites for the FINRA Series 65 exam?
None required (no SIE, no firm sponsorship); CFP, ChFC, PFS, CFA, or CIC charterholders may qualify for a Series 65 waiver in most states
How long is the FINRA Series 65 certification valid?
Active while registered as an IAR; lapses 2 years after termination
How many questions does the FINRA Series 65 bank have?
400 questions, organized into 4 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Financial Services exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the FINRA Series 65 content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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