Exam cost comparison
How much do securities exams cost?
Every FINRA and NASAA exam fee for 2026, side by side — plus who usually pays and why failing costs far more than the fee itself.
| Exam | Fee (2026) | Paid to | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIE | $100 | FINRA | Cost breakdown |
| Series 6 | $100 | FINRA | Cost breakdown |
| Series 7 | $395 | FINRA | Cost breakdown |
| Series 63 | $147 | NASAA | Cost breakdown |
| Series 65 | $187 | NASAA | Cost breakdown |
| Series 66 | $177 | NASAA | Cost breakdown |
| Life insurance | Varies by state (~$40–$150) | State | Cost breakdown |
Fees are as of 2026 and paid to FINRA or NASAA at enrollment (the life insurance exam is set by each state). Fees change — confirm the current fee with FINRA/NASAA, or your state insurance department, before you register.
Who actually pays the fee
For exams that require sponsorship — the Series 6, Series 7, and often the Series 66 — the sponsoring broker-dealer usually covers the fee, so your out-of-pocket is frequently $0. Exams you can take on your own, like the SIE and Series 65, are more often paid out of pocket. The life insurance exam varies by state and sometimes gets reimbursed by an agency or carrier.
The fee is the small number
Every one of these fees is dwarfed by the cost of failing: you pay the full fee again for each retake — another $395 for the Series 7, another $187 for the Series 65 — plus a mandatory waiting period and weeks of lost momentum. That's why good prep pays for itself the first time. Not sure which exam you even need? Start with the license guide.
Pass on the first try — every exam.
Finance Exam Pro covers the SIE, Series 6, 7, 63, 65, 66, and life insurance — with original questions, guided lessons, and realistic mock exams. Start free.
Finance Exam Pro is not affiliated with FINRA, NASAA, or any state insurance department. Practice questions are original and are not actual exam questions. Exam fees and specs can change — confirm current details with FINRA, NASAA, or your state before registering.