To become a stock broker without a degree, make sure that you are fully certified, licensed, and registered to work in the securities industry. A degree is not necessarily needed to become a stock broker, although many stock brokers do have a college degree in business or finance.
In 2022, there are 22,272 no degree required stock broker jobs available out of a total 26,759 in the United States. This means that currently, 83.23% of stock broker jobs in the United States do not require a college degree. Regardless of education, all stock brokers must be licensed and registered.
In the United States, this means passing a series of exams that are offered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This is the governing body that oversees stock brokers and other financial professionals in the United States. They require that all stock brokers pass the following exams:
Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam: this exam covers topics like securities products, regulations, and investment strategies
Series 63 - Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam: this exam covers topics like state securities laws and ethics
There are not many prerequisites required for the Series 63 exam; however, to sit for the Series 7 exam, you must be sponsored by a broker-dealer firm. Finding this sponsorship without a degree can be tricky as many firms prefer to hire candidates with a minimum of a bachelor's degree.
For some, it is easier to get your foot in the door as an assistant at a mid-sized firm, gain first-hand experience, and then receive sponsorship. In addition to these two mandatory exams, many firms require these additional qualifying exams:
Series 6 - Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam: this exam covers mutual funds and other packaged investment products
Series 3 - National Commodities Future Exam: this certification focuses on f future contracts and options on futures
Series 65 - Uniform Investment Advisor Law Exam: this exam is for brokers who are planning on earning their wages by anything other than commissions
