Key Takeaways
- Series 6 qualifies reps to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life, UITs, and 529 plans.
- You must pass the SIE and be sponsored by a FINRA member firm to take Series 6.
- The exam has 55 questions (50 scored), 90 minutes, and a 70% passing score.
- Function 3 (recommendations) is the largest section at 50% of the exam.
- Series 6 is a limited license compared with Series 7 (no individual stocks or bonds).
About the Series 6 Exam
Quick Answer: The Series 6 is a 55-question, 90-minute FINRA exam with a 70% passing score and $75 fee. It qualifies you to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life insurance, UITs, and 529 plans. You must pass the SIE first and be sponsored by a FINRA member firm. Unlike the Series 7, you cannot sell individual stocks or bonds with a Series 6 license.
The Series 6 exam (Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam) is a FINRA qualification exam that allows you to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life insurance, and 529 plans.
Prerequisites
You must pass both the SIE exam and the Series 6 to become registered. Unlike the SIE, you need to be sponsored by a FINRA member firm to take the Series 6.
Exam Format
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 55 multiple-choice |
| Scored Questions | 50 (5 are unscored pretest) |
| Time Limit | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% (35 correct) |
| Cost | $75 |
| Pass Rate | ~59% first-time |
The Four Job Functions
The Series 6 tests your ability to perform these job functions:
| Function | Description | Questions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Seeks business for the broker-dealer | 12 | 24% |
| F2 | Opens accounts after evaluating customers | 8 | 16% |
| F3 | Provides information and makes recommendations | 25 | 50% |
| F4 | Processes and confirms transactions | 5 | 10% |
Products You Can Sell
After passing, you'll be qualified to sell:
- Mutual Funds (open-end investment companies)
- Variable Annuities
- Variable Life Insurance
- Unit Investment Trusts (UITs)
- 529 College Savings Plans (municipal fund securities)
Series 6 vs. Series 7
The Series 6 is sometimes called the "limited" license because it doesn't cover individual stocks, bonds, or options. If you need to sell those products, you'll need the Series 7 instead.
Official Resources
- Series 6 Exam Overview — Official FINRA exam page
- Series 6 Content Outline (PDF) — Official content outline
- FINRA Exam FAQs — Common questions
What is the passing score for the Series 6 exam?
Which job function represents the largest portion of the Series 6 exam?
Which of the following products can a Series 6 representative NOT sell?