Series 82 Cheatsheet — Private Placements Workflow, Investor Qualification & Compliance

Series 82 is “private placement process + compliance reflexes.” The best answer is usually the one that follows the correct workflow, documents the right eligibility/profile facts, and picks the safest compliant next step.

This cheat sheet is a study aid (not legal advice). Always follow your firm’s written supervisory procedures (WSPs) and current FINRA/SEC requirements.

Exam map (where points come from)

Series 82 at a glance (FINRA)

• Items: 50 scored + 5 unscored (55 total)
• Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes)
• Passing score: 70

Job functions and weights

How Series 82 questions are written (exam mindset)

• Most items are “what should you do next?” or “which statement is correct?” scenario questions.
• The exam rewards a process-first mindset: gather missing facts, disclose/document, obtain approvals, and escalate when something is outside the rep’s authority.
• “Best answer” is usually the choice that is most compliant, most documented, and most aligned with the controlling disclosure document (PPM/OM).

Rule and regulation map (Series 82 scope)

Series 82 questions often “name drop” rules and concepts. You do not need to memorize legal text, but you should know the direction of each requirement.

Series 82 “best answer” checklist (use on every scenario)

1. What is the offering? private placement vs other (PIPE, Regulation A, etc.)
2. Who is the investor? accredited/QIB concept (as applicable), sophistication, liquidity, concentration tolerance
3. What document controls? PPM/OM + subscription agreement + investor questionnaire + required notices
4. What is missing? profile facts, eligibility evidence, disclosures, supervisory approval, documentation
5. What is the compliant next step? disclose/document, escalate to supervisor/compliance, or refuse/prohibit

Private placements: workflow you must recognize

Private offering scenarios often follow this pattern:

• Communications (within firm controls and limitations)
• Investor screening (eligibility concept + profile facts)
• Diligence + disclosure (PPM/OM and supporting materials)
• Subscription (subscription agreement + questionnaire + certifications)
• Funding and settlement (payments, escrow controls when used)
• Confirmations + records (confirm, retain, supervise)

If the question asks “what should you do,” the best answer often includes deliver/point to the PPM, verify eligibility/profile, and document/escalate.

F1 — Offering types, exemptions, and distribution mechanics (high yield)

Offering type vocabulary

• Primary offering: issuer sells new securities to raise capital.
• Private placement: securities sold without full public registration, relying on an exemption (high level).
• PIPE: private investment in public equity (private placement into a public company context).

Exempt securities vs exempt transactions (classic trap)

• Exempt security: a category of security that is exempt from Securities Act registration (concept).
• Exempt transaction: a transaction that qualifies for an exemption even if the security itself is not exempt (concept).

Questions often test that you can tell which “bucket” applies.

Offering “buckets” to recognize (high level)

Series 82 is not trying to turn you into a securities lawyer. It wants you to recognize which framework you’re in so you can pick the right process and documentation steps.

Exempt offering frameworks you should recognize (Series 82 level)

You don’t need to memorize every detail; you do need the “which framework is this?” reflex:

• Regulation D (private offerings under specific conditions)
• Rule 144A (institutional resale framework; QIB concept)
• Regulation A (conditional small issues exemption; limited-size framework)
• Intrastate exemption concepts (state-focused distribution concept)
• Electronic offering issues (process/documentation controls in online distribution)

General solicitation vs “quiet” distribution (concept)

Series 82 commonly tests whether you understand that:

• Many private offering pathways rely on controlled distribution practices and documented investor qualification.
• Marketing language must be fair and balanced, and must not contradict the offering’s disclosure document.
• If a communication looks like “public advertising” but the offering is meant to be limited/private, the safest exam move is to stop and escalate.

Distribution methods (recognize what changes)

• Firm commitment: the distributor commits to purchase/sell (higher underwriting obligation concept).
• Best efforts: the distributor agrees to use best efforts to sell; issuer bears more execution risk.
• All-or-none (AON): minimum offering condition concept.
• Mini-max: minimum/maximum offering size concept.

Why this matters on Series 82:

• “Contingency” offerings (AON/mini-max) often introduce escrow/funds flow questions: when can the issuer access funds, and what happens if the contingency is not met?

Roles you should recognize

• Issuer: company raising capital.
• Placement agent: supports a private offering distribution process.
• Dealer manager: coordinates distribution logistics (structure-specific).
• Selling group: members selling under agreement.

High-yield reminder: process questions often hinge on who is responsible for what step (deliver docs, gather IOIs, handle proceeds, approvals).

Private placement documents (what each one does)

• PPM / OM (private placement memorandum / offering memorandum): primary disclosure document used in many exempt offerings (risks, terms, fees, restrictions).
• Term sheet: summary of key terms (not a replacement for PPM/OM).
• Subscription agreement: the investor’s purchase contract + representations.
• Investor questionnaire: supports profile/eligibility and suitability/best interest documentation.
• Confidentiality agreement / NDA: governs access to non-public materials (common in offerings and diligence).

Compensation traps

Series 82 expects you to recognize:

• typical compensation components (fees/commissions; sometimes warrant/equity compensation)
• that compensation arrangements must be permitted, disclosed, and supervised
• that paying unregistered introducers/finders can create prohibited practice traps

When in doubt, the safest answer is usually “escalate to supervisor/compliance” before proceeding.

Unregistered finder / introducer red flags (high yield)

If you see any of these in a question stem, expect the correct answer to involve refusal/stop/escalation:

• “consultant fee” paid for bringing investors in
• compensation tied to success (“percentage of raise”)
• a person “introducing investors” who is not registered/approved
• a request to “pay from offering proceeds” to a non-firm person

Series 82 pattern: sales compensation + unregistered person = escalate.

Investor eligibility: accredited investor and QIB concepts

Series 82 tests the mindset, not fine print:

• Accredited investor: eligibility concept used in many private offerings (investor qualification bucket).
• QIB: large institutional eligibility concept used in 144A contexts.

High-yield workflow:

1. identify whether eligibility matters for the offering
2. collect the right evidence/documentation (questionnaire, certifications/letters)
3. document the basis for the eligibility conclusion
4. do not proceed if eligibility cannot be supported

Eligibility evidence (Series 82 level)

The exam expects you to recognize that “eligibility” is not a vibe—it’s documented.

• Individuals: investor questionnaire + required supporting facts per firm/offering controls (high level).
• Entities: formation docs + authority docs + investor questionnaire + certifications/letters as required (high level).
• If the customer “won’t provide documentation,” the safest answer is usually “cannot proceed” (or escalate) depending on wording.

F2 — Account opening, documentation, privacy, and profile facts

Account opening and customer information (what exam questions look like)

Common “what should you do?” triggers:

• missing required account information
• unclear authority (who can sign / who can trade)
• incomplete documentation for entity accounts
• privacy notice or safeguarding issues

Entity authority and documentation (high yield)

If the account is not an individual, expect questions about:

• entity formation docs (e.g., articles/operating agreement)
• authorized signers (resolutions)
• trust documents (for trusts)
• powers of attorney (POA) and scope (limited vs full)

Private placement documentation (must be fluent)

Series 82 emphasizes:

• PPM/OM: key disclosure document for the offering (high level).
• Subscription agreement: contract to purchase (and representations).
• Investor questionnaire: profile/eligibility documentation.
• QIB certification letter: used when applicable.

If you see “electronic offering,” the answer often includes “ensure required documents are captured and retained.”

Customer investment profile essentials (Series 82 level)

The exam expects you to know what “reasonable efforts” looks like when collecting profile facts. Common facts tested:

• current holdings and overall portfolio context
• assets and liabilities (including other securities holdings and major obligations)
• annual income and net worth (as applicable)
• tax status and basic tax considerations (high level)
• investment objectives (preservation, income, growth, speculation)
• time horizon and liquidity needs
• risk tolerance and ability to sustain loss of principal
• investment experience and sophistication
• practical context factors (age, dependents, employment, insurance coverage, and other relevant circumstances)

Privacy (Reg S-P mindset)

Keep it simple for exam purposes:

• provide required privacy disclosures
• apply limits on information sharing
• follow firm safeguards for customer information

Red flags and escalation (Series 82 pattern)

If a question includes any of the below, expect the answer to involve escalation or stop:

• mismatch between account owner and signer (authority issue)
• missing investor questionnaire / missing eligibility evidence
• odd funding source / suspicious urgency to wire funds
• inconsistent customer profile facts (income/net worth/liquidity don’t line up with recommended product)
• refusal to acknowledge risk disclosures

F3 — Suitability/Reg BI mindset for private offerings

Suitability/best interest: the recurring logic

Private placements are often illiquid and risky. Questions frequently test whether you:

• collected the customer’s profile facts
• identified the customer’s objective, horizon, and liquidity needs
• evaluated concentration risk
• matched product risks to investor capacity
• disclosed key risks and conflicts

High-yield traps:

• recommending illiquid/high-risk products without documented risk capacity
• concentration into a single speculative issue without justification
• glossing over fees, conflicts, or restrictions

Reg BI obligations (high level)

Series 82 questions often reward the answer that reflects Reg BI’s “plain English” obligations:

• Disclosure: communicate material facts about the relationship and key conflicts (high level).
• Care: use reasonable diligence/care/skill; understand product risks, costs, and restrictions; match to profile.
• Conflicts: identify and address conflicts (mitigate or avoid certain incentive conflicts; high level).
• Compliance: follow written policies and procedures; document what was done and why.

Exam pattern: if the stem highlights high fees, illiquidity, concentration, or conflicts, the safest answer typically includes full disclosure + documentation + suitability/best interest alignment.

Private placements: risk themes you must be ready to articulate

Private placement rules (recognize the labels)

Series 82 expects awareness of FINRA’s private placement rules and that firms apply controls around:

• member-related private offerings
• firm filings/record retention and disclosure discipline

If a question is really about process controls, the best answer often includes “follow the firm’s private placement procedures.”

Disclosures: “what must be said” vs “what must be delivered”

Series 82 regularly tests the idea that:

• the PPM/OM is the controlling disclosure document in many private offerings
• communications must not contradict the PPM/OM
• risks, fees/compensation, restrictions, and conflicts must be addressed in a fair and balanced way

If a customer asks for a guarantee or downplays risk, the compliant response is to correct the misconception, point to the PPM/OM risk factors, and document the conversation per firm rules.

Communications and marketing controls (Rule 2210 mindset)

High-yield expectations:

• communications must be fair and balanced
• avoid misleading statements, promissory language, and omission of key risks
• private offering communications can have different limitations than public offering communications
• materials often require appropriate internal approval before use

If a marketing piece contradicts the PPM or minimizes risk, the right move is usually: do not use it; escalate; correct.

F4 — Subscriptions, payments, confirmations, and complaints

Subscription processing checklist (Series 82 level)

• subscription agreement complete and signed by authorized person
• investor questionnaire/certifications complete (as applicable)
• records retained per firm policy
• payments handled under firm controls (including escrow processes when used)
• confirmations and required transaction disclosures delivered (high level)

Escrow and contingency offerings (high level)

If an offering is all-or-none or otherwise contingent, exam questions often test that:

• funds must be handled under the appropriate escrow/segregation controls (SEC Rule 15c2-4 concept)
• offering proceeds generally cannot be released until the contingency is satisfied
• if the contingency is not satisfied, funds are generally returned (high level)

When in doubt: choose the answer that protects customer funds and follows strict process controls.

Confirmations (high level)

Be ready for questions that ask:

• when a confirmation is required
• what information must be disclosed
• how errors/discrepancies should be escalated

Complaints and dispute resolution workflow (high yield)

If you see “complaint,” “error,” “dispute,” or “unauthorized,” the safest best answer usually includes:

• document the issue
• notify/escalate to the appropriate supervisor
• follow required complaint recordkeeping and reporting procedures (high level)
• recognize arbitration/mediation as formal resolution paths (high level)

Books and records: what you can’t forget

Series 82 is not a pure recordkeeping exam, but you must recognize that:

• communications and private placement docs must be retained
• customer instructions, subscriptions, and confirmations must be documented
• record retention supports supervision and audit trails

What to retain (Series 82 level)

• marketing/communications versions used with clients
• PPM/OM delivery evidence (when applicable)
• investor questionnaire, certifications/letters, and subscription agreement
• suitability/best interest notes and disclosures (fees, conflicts, restrictions)
• confirmations and any error corrections
• complaint records and escalation documentation

Rule labels you may see:

• FINRA Rule 4510 (books and records)
• SEC Rules 17a-3 / 17a-4 (records to make / preserve; high level)

Common traps (fast review)

• Confusing “exempt security” with “exempt transaction.”
• Treating “private placement” as “no disclosure” (anti-fraud and fair disclosure still matter).
• Skipping investor eligibility documentation (accredited/QIB concept) when the offering requires it.
• Using unapproved marketing materials or overstating certainty (“guaranteed,” “risk-free,” “certain return”).
• Ignoring liquidity and concentration risk in suitability/best interest scenarios.
• Mishandling subscription funds or failing to follow firm controls for payments/escrow.

High-yield “if you see X → do Y” patterns

• “Customer wants guaranteed return” → correct misconception, emphasize risks, point to PPM/OM, document.
• “Not accredited / won’t provide docs” → cannot proceed; escalate per firm policy.
• “Marketing piece minimizes risk” → do not use; escalate; revise to fair and balanced.
• “Pay an unregistered finder” → prohibited/red flag; stop and escalate.
• “AON / contingency offering” → strict escrow/funds controls; no release until conditions met (high level).
• “Customer complaint” → document immediately, notify supervisor, retain records, follow reporting workflow.

Glossary (high yield)

• Accredited investor: eligibility concept used in many private offerings (high level).
• AON (All-or-none): offering condition concept where a minimum must be sold for the offering to proceed (high level).
• Best efforts: distribution method where the distributor agrees to use best efforts to sell; issuer bears more execution risk (high level).
• CIM / PPM / OM: offering disclosure documents used in private transactions and offerings (terminology varies by context; high level).
• CIP/KYC: customer identification and know-your-customer processes used to open accounts and understand the customer.
• Conflicts of interest: incentives/relationships that can influence recommendations; must be managed and disclosed (high level).
• Contingency offering: offering that proceeds only if minimum/conditions are met (AON/mini-max concepts).
• Dealer manager: firm coordinating distribution logistics (structure-specific; high level).
• Escrow: process control where funds are held/segregated until conditions are satisfied (high level).
• Finder/introducer: person who refers investors; compensation and registration issues create high-yield exam traps (high level).
• IOI: indication of interest concept used during distribution/book-building processes (high level).
• PIPE: private investment in public equity.
• Placement agent: firm assisting the issuer with a private placement process (high level).
• QIB: qualified institutional buyer concept used in certain institutional resale/placement contexts (high level).
• Reg BI: Regulation Best Interest standard for broker-dealer recommendations (high level).
• Regulation S-P: privacy rule set requiring safeguarding and disclosures for consumer financial information (high level).
• Restricted securities: securities with resale limitations (concept; exact rules depend on framework).
• Subscription agreement: contract to purchase securities in a private offering, typically including representations and acknowledgements.
• Term sheet: summary of key deal terms; not a substitute for the PPM/OM.
• Underwriter / placement agent: firms that help distribute securities; responsibilities differ by structure (high level).
• WSPs: written supervisory procedures; the firm’s documented “how we comply” playbook.