The Requirements
FINRA, in conjunction with other self-regulatory organizations and the Securities Industry/Regulatory Council on Continuing Education, administers the continuing education program for the securities industry. Continuing education consists of two mandatory programs: a Regulatory Element and a Firm Element. Click Here to Learn More.
The Firm Element
The Firm Element requires broker-dealers to establish a formal training program to keep covered registered persons up-to-date on job- and product-related subjects. In planning, developing and implementing the Firm Element, each broker-dealer must consider its size, structure, scope of business and regulatory concerns. Each broker-dealer must administer its Firm Element Continuing Education Program in accordance with its annual Needs Analysis and Written Training Plan, and must maintain records documenting the content of the program and completion of the program.
FINRA publishes the Securities Industry Regulatory Council’s Firm Element Advisor , which identifies and recommends pertinent regulation and sales practice issues for firms to consider including in their Firm Element training plans. Click Here to Learn More.
The Regulatory Element
The Regulatory Element requires all registered individuals to complete a computer-based training program within 120 days of the second anniversary of their registration approval dates and every three years thereafter. The program focuses on compliance, regulatory, ethical and sales practice standards. Its content is derived from industry rules and regulations, as well as widely accepted standards and practices within the industry. Regulatory Element Programs have been developed for registered supervisors/principals (S201), Series 6 Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representatives (S106), and the General Program (S101) for Series 7 registrants and individuals in other registration categories not covered by the other programs.
The Regulatory Element Programs consist of updated content and a more interactive format. Registered representatives scheduled to take an S101, S106 or S201 session should review the following tools to prepare for the revised programs.
- Training Resources – Before taking the Regulatory Element session, registered representatives should review these materials to prepare for their scheduled CE sessions. Included on this page are content outlines, an animated orientation overview, a sample case and information on FINRA’s E-Learning Library, which offers related online scenarios.. Click Here to Learn More.
- How to Schedule an Appointment- View detailed instructions on scheduling a Regulatory Element session through either Pearson Professional Centers or Prometric Testing Centers. Click Here to Learn More.
- Find a Test Center (U.S. or International) Click Here to Learn More.
- Test Center Security Guidelines Click Here to Learn More.
- Scheduling Frequently Asked Questions Click Here to Learn More
- U.S. Holiday Schedule Click Here to Learn More.
- International Testing
- Foreign Deferral Policy Click Here to Learn More
- International Test Centers Policies & Procedures Click Here to Learn More.
- International Holiday Schedule Click Here to Learn More.
- Other Appointment Arrangements
- FINRA Special Accommodations Click Here to Learn More. – Americans with Disabilities Act
- English as a Second Language Click Here to Learn More.