SIE cost
How much does the SIE exam cost?
As of 2026, the SIE exam fee is $100, paid to FINRA at enrollment. Here's who actually pays it — and why that fee is the smallest number that matters.
The SIE fee, up front
The SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam fee is $100 as of 2026 — raised from $80 effective January 2026 — paid to FINRA when you enroll. Unlike the Series 7, the SIE requires no sponsor, so anyone can take it. Fees change, so confirm the current fee with FINRA before you register.
What the SIE actually costs
- Exam fee: $100 (as of 2026), paid to FINRA at enrollment.
- Who pays it: if a firm is sponsoring you, they often cover the fee — so your out-of-pocket is frequently $0. Taking it independently means you pay the $100.
- Retakes: you pay the full $100 again for each attempt, on top of the required wait between tries.
- Optional prep: a study course or question bank is extra — but it's the part that keeps you from paying the fee twice.
The real cost is failing
The $100 fee is small compared to the cost of failing: another $100 retake, a mandatory waiting period, and weeks of lost momentum before you can move on to the Series 7 or another top-off. That's why good prep pays for itself the first time. Not sure the SIE is even the exam you need? Check the license guide or compare every exam's cost.
Pass the SIE the first time.
Original practice questions, guided lessons, and realistic mock exams — so the only SIE fee you ever pay is the first one. Start free.
Finance Exam Pro is not affiliated with FINRA. Practice questions are original and are not actual exam questions. Exam fees and specs can change — confirm current details with FINRA.