Q: Do you offer sponsorship and a service setting up brokers and advisors to work independently?
A: Yes and No. We are not a firm, so we cannot sponsor. However, AIT has a partner NASD firm within our company that specializes in setting individuals or groups as independent brokers. This is a national firm with multiple branch offices. This would include sponsorship, for qualified people. If you are interested in becoming an independent broker or add investments to your existing professional practice, you should contact us or learn more HERE (email form only - no calls). If you are looking to break into the business, you should study and pass the Series65 and Series 63 - to name two. Many banks, financial planning companies and others will look for these licenses. In this competitive job market - getting licenses to add to your resume is VERY important in giving you an advantage over other candidates.
PLEASE NOTE: Our firm will only consider sponsoring for the Series 7 if the person or group has an existing business (insurance, real estate, CPA etc.) and is looking to offer investments or insurance product to their clients and wants to get licensed AND have a firm to clear trades through. Our firm is looking for people with potential and a business plan for success. They are not going to "sponsor" people just for someone to get their license - no firm can or will do that. Please do not contact AIT for this part of our business unless you are a licensed producer looking to go independent or a financial business with clients. Our firm does not sponsor the Series 6 under any circumstances. The 7 is always required to work as an independent for us. To be considered for this type of set up, please use the broker contact form Here. All submissions are kept completely confidential, especially if you are a licensed producer looking to move to a new firm.
Q: Can I take the Series 7 Exam without affiliating with a firm directly?
A: No. What many of our students do is begin studying for the exam and adding that they are "Preparing for the Series 7" on their resume. Firms are looking for people who take initiatives like this. AIT also makes our students resumes available to our firms. Any person who purchases a study course from us is entitled to this free resume assistance service.
Q: What licenses can I get on my own to make myself more attractive to employers?
A: This business has gotten extremely competitive. Any licensing that you do can work to your advantage. Independently, and without company affiliation, you can take the SERIES 65. The Series 65 is to become a Registered Investment Adviser. It is for fee based financial planning. It looks terrific on a resume, takes about 4 weeks to study for, and is given daily like all the other exams.
Another good independent test you can do is the SERIES 63. The Series 63 is pretty much mandatory to work in the investment business.
Note: You can take the SERIES 66 independently, but this license is only active when you also pass the Series 7. You can take the 66 first though. All self registration exams can be taken using the U-10 form, which can be found on our links page.
Q: What other NASD administered licenses can I or should I take on my own?
A: All of the National Futures Association exams can be taken independently. These include the SERIES 3, SERIES 30, and the SERIES 31.
Q: How do I sit for independent exams?
A: There are links to a list of test centers and the form to register for the exams on our links page. The home study courses are available Here
Q: Does it matter what state I live in?
A: No. The NASD tests are all federal exams. However, insurance license courses and insurance CE are based on the state. Our site has links for each state regarding insurance licensing and Insurance CE
Q: I would like to know more about the brokerage industry, and how the industry works as a whole?
A: This business is very large and there are literally dozens of ways to enter it. If you wish to learn all that is involved, AIT's has a book titled "How to become a successful broker and advisor . This includes Licensing procedures, list of select firms nationwide, description of each type of broker, Series 7 sponsorship, career options, including how to even work out of your home.
It will save you a lot of time and energy and clear up any confusion you may have as a beginner.
Q: I am currently in school but would like to be educated in the securities business before I graduate. What would assist me?
A: As far as learning about investment concepts, rules and characteristics of the securities themselves, the Series 7 course is the best to use even if you are not planning to take the Series 7 exam. People have bought that course just to understand their own investments better. You can also view some Books on investments like Options, and Bonds.
If you are more interested in the employment/business end of the industry, you should consider the "broker guide" available Here
Free Information
Q: Can I gain other securities information and education from your website?
A: Yes. You should definitely visit our Financial Terms Glossary to learn about various securities and much more. You should also bookmark it if you will be studying for or taking the Series 7, 65 or any one of the NASD exams. It can also help in deciding which types of investments you are interested in.
Job and Career
Q: Where can I find Job openings in the financial field through American Investment Training or your career affiliates?
A: www.brokerjobs.com and www.globalcareerschools.com Series 7 and other licensing are based on what each company and job requires.
2006 American Investment Training, Inc.