Series 14 FAQ — Common Questions & Quick Answers

Answers to common questions about the FINRA Series 14 exam: eligibility and sponsorship, corequisites, exam format/timing, what’s tested, and how to study.

Policies can change—confirm critical details with FINRA and your firm before scheduling.

Quick facts

  • Items: 110
  • Time: 3 hours
  • Passing score: 70
  • Cost: $350
  • Corequisites: none
  • Sponsorship: required

Frequently asked questions

Do I need firm sponsorship for Series 14?

Yes. Series 14 is a FINRA principal-level qualification exam and generally requires association with a FINRA member firm (or other applicable SRO member firm).

Does Series 14 have a corequisite exam?

No. FINRA states Series 14 does not have a corequisite exam.

What does Series 14 cover?

Series 14 covers compliance officer responsibilities across nine areas, including:

  • markets and trading operations oversight and surveillance
  • books-and-records and reporting awareness
  • net capital/margin/custody concepts (high level)
  • firm supervision programs (WSPs, certifications, reporting, BCP)
  • investment banking and MNPI controls (high level)
  • registration workflows and public communications supervision

How should I allocate study time?

Use the weights:

  • F2 + F5 (36%): markets/operations + general supervision are the core of the exam.
  • F6 + F8 (29%): investment banking controls and sales practice/account supervision.
  • F3 + F4 (15%): recordkeeping/reporting plus capital and credit concepts.

What’s the biggest exam trap?

Choosing an answer that sounds practical but skips a required compliance control:

  • failing to escalate, restrict, or document exceptions
  • treating outsourcing/shared arrangements as a transfer of responsibility
  • relying on disclaimers instead of fixing a misleading communication