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.