How long does it take to become a financial advisor?

Some common required certifications and licenses include the following:

• Securities Industry Essentials exam

• Series 6: Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Examination (IR)

• Series 7: General Securities Representative Qualification Examination (GS)

• Series 63: Uniform Securities State Law Examination

• Series 65: Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination

• Series 66: Uniform Combined State Law Examination

Often, a person's first job will be a junior position, even with these needed qualifications. The employer you start with should provide in-depth, on-the-job training, often under a senior employee, to help the new financial advisor understand the various nuances of the role that can only be learned by doing the job.