RESOURCES
Study Resources
Free and official materials I use to prepare for securities and investment credentials — shared for friends, classmates and anyone starting out.
Links verified November 2026. Exam rules and fees change; always check the official source.
01 — HOW TO BECOME AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR
How to become an accredited investor
There is no single “accredited investor exam.” Under the SEC’s Regulation D, an individual qualifies in one of these ways:
- Income: over $200,000 in each of the last two years ($300,000 together with a spouse or spousal equivalent), with the same expected this year.
- Net worth: over $1 million, alone or together with a spouse or spousal equivalent, excluding the primary residence.
- Professional license: holding a Series 7, Series 65 or Series 82 license in good standing.
Note: the SIE and Series 63 on their own do not make you an accredited investor. The Series 7 and Series 82 require sponsorship by a FINRA member firm; the Series 65 can be taken without sponsorship, but you also need to be registered as an investment adviser representative to hold it in good standing.
02 — SIE (SECURITIES INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS)
SIE (Securities Industry Essentials)
The entry exam for the securities industry. No firm sponsorship needed. 75 scored questions.
03 — SERIES 63 (UNIFORM SECURITIES AGENT STATE LAW)
Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law)
The state-law exam for securities agents, written by NASAA and administered by FINRA. 60 scored questions; you need 43 correct to pass. Often taken alongside the SIE.
04 — CFA PROGRAM — LEVEL I (LATER)
CFA Program — Level I (later)
The official curriculum, practice questions and mock exams come through CFA Institute’s Learning Ecosystem, which is included with exam registration.
05 — DISTRESSED INVESTING AND RESTRUCTURING
Distressed investing and restructuring
For going deeper into distressed M&A, capital structures, bankruptcy and turnarounds.
Studying for one of these too? Book a call — happy to compare notes.