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NASAA Series 63

Practice bank
200 Qs
Real exam
60 Qs
Time limit
75 min
Passing
72% (43 of 60)

Exam blueprint

Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs
15%
Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents
30%
Regulation of Securities and Issuers
10%
Remedies and Administrative Provisions
10%
Communication with Customers and Prospects
15%
Ethical Practices and Obligations
20%

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NASAA Series 63 practice test questions

Sample questions from the 200-question bank, with answers and explanations.

All questions
  1. 1. An individual is employed by a registered investment adviser and is paid a referral fee for introducing new clients to the firm, but does not provide any investment advice or manage any accounts herself. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this individual is most accurately classified as:

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. Not subject to any registration requirements because she gives no advice
    • B. An investment adviser representative, since she is compensated for soliciting advisory clients on behalf of the firm
    • C. Exempt from registration if her referral fees are less than $500 per year
    • D. A broker-dealer agent because compensation is transaction-based
    Show answer

    B. An investment adviser representative, since she is compensated for soliciting advisory clients on behalf of the firm

    Under the USA, a person who solicits clients for advisory services on behalf of an investment adviser, and is compensated for doing so, generally meets the definition of an investment adviser representative even if they do not provide advice directly.

  2. 2. An officer of a corporation who is not a broker-dealer or agent sells his personally held shares of the company to a single acquaintance in a transaction that is not part of a series of similar sales. This transaction is most likely exempt under which provision?

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. The unsolicited order exemption
    • B. The isolated nonissuer transaction exemption
    • C. The federal covered securities exemption
    • D. The private placement exemption
    Show answer

    B. The isolated nonissuer transaction exemption

    An isolated nonissuer transaction exemption applies to an infrequent, non-recurring sale of securities by a person other than the issuer, such as an individual shareholder selling personally held stock in a single transaction not part of a distribution.

  3. 3. A state-registered broker-dealer's compliance officer is reviewing recordkeeping obligations. Under NASAA model rules incorporating the Uniform Securities Act, for how long must most required books and records generally be preserved, and how must the most recent portion be maintained?

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. Three years total, with all records stored off-site after one year
    • B. Five years, with the first two years in an easily accessible location
    • C. Indefinitely, until the Administrator authorizes destruction
    • D. Seven years, with no accessibility requirement
    Show answer

    B. Five years, with the first two years in an easily accessible location

    NASAA rules generally require broker-dealers to preserve most records for five years, with the records from the first two years kept in an easily accessible place, mirroring the SEC's recordkeeping framework.

  4. 4. A corporation issues short-term promissory notes with a maturity of 8 months, rated in one of the three highest categories by a nationally recognized rating agency, and sold in denominations of $50,000. Under the Uniform Securities Act, these notes are:

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. Exempt only if sold exclusively to institutional investors
    • B. Non-exempt securities requiring full registration
    • C. Exempt securities because of their short maturity and high credit rating
    • D. Exempt transactions but non-exempt securities
    Show answer

    C. Exempt securities because of their short maturity and high credit rating

    Commercial paper and similar short-term promissory notes with a maturity of nine months or less, rated in one of the three highest rating categories, and issued in minimum denominations of $50,000, qualify as exempt securities under the Uniform Securities Act.

  5. 5. A broker-dealer has no office or employees within State Q and directs all of its transaction activity there exclusively to other registered broker-dealers. Under the Uniform Securities Act, how is this firm treated with respect to registration in State Q?

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. It is excluded from the definition of broker-dealer in State Q because its only clients there are other broker-dealers
    • B. It must register within 15 days of its first transaction in State Q
    • C. It must register because it conducts business affecting residents of State Q
    • D. It must register but is exempt from paying filing fees
    Show answer

    A. It is excluded from the definition of broker-dealer in State Q because its only clients there are other broker-dealers

    The USA excludes from the broker-dealer definition a firm with no place of business in a state whose only clients there are other broker-dealers, the issuer itself, or certain institutional investors, so no registration is required.

  6. 6. A broker-dealer files a complete application for registration in a state on March 1. The Administrator takes no action on the application. Absent any denial, suspension, or request for additional information, when does the registration become effective under the Uniform Securities Act?

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. At noon on the 60th day after the application is filed
    • B. At noon on the 30th day after the application is filed
    • C. Only after the Administrator issues an affirmative order of approval
    • D. Immediately upon filing on March 1
    Show answer

    B. At noon on the 30th day after the application is filed

    Under the USA, if no denial or stop order is issued, registration becomes effective at noon on the 30th day after the application was filed (or after a later-filed amendment), absent a shorter period specified by the Administrator.

  7. 7. An open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 offers its shares for sale in a state. Under the Uniform Securities Act, the Administrator may require the investment company to:

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. Take no action at all, since federal covered securities are entirely outside state jurisdiction
    • B. Register the securities by qualification before any sales occur
    • C. File a notice filing and pay a fee, but may not require full registration of the securities
    • D. Register the securities by coordination only if the fund is federal covered
    Show answer

    C. File a notice filing and pay a fee, but may not require full registration of the securities

    Shares of registered investment companies are federal covered securities under NSMIA, exempting them from state registration. However, states may still require a notice filing and collection of fees for such offerings.

  8. 8. A state securities examiner discovers that an agent at Broker-Dealer ABC engaged in extensive unauthorized trading in client accounts over several months. The examiner also finds that ABC had no system in place to review trade blotters, order tickets, or account activity that would have revealed the pattern. Under the Uniform Securities Act, ABC is most likely to be found:

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. Not liable, because only the agent who executed the trades violated the Act
    • B. Liable only if it is proven that ABC had actual knowledge of the specific unauthorized trades
    • C. Liable for failing to establish and maintain reasonable supervisory procedures
    • D. Liable, but only to the extent clients suffered a demonstrable financial loss
    Show answer

    C. Liable for failing to establish and maintain reasonable supervisory procedures

    The Uniform Securities Act imposes an ongoing post-registration duty on broker-dealers to establish, maintain, and enforce reasonable supervisory procedures over their agents. A failure to have any system to detect red flags such as unauthorized trading exposes the firm to disciplinary action independent of whether it had actual knowledge or clients suffered loss.

  9. 9. A state-registered investment adviser has custody of client funds and securities. The adviser's most recent balance sheet shows net worth of $20,000. NASAA's model rule requires a minimum net worth of $35,000 for advisers with custody. To comply, what must the adviser do?

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. Obtain a surety bond in the amount of $15,000, the deficiency between required and actual net worth
    • B. Increase its advisory fees until net worth reaches $35,000
    • C. Nothing, since custody itself does not trigger a minimum net worth requirement
    • D. Obtain a surety bond in the amount of $35,000, the full required net worth
    Show answer

    A. Obtain a surety bond in the amount of $15,000, the deficiency between required and actual net worth

    An adviser that fails to meet the minimum net worth requirement may satisfy the deficiency by obtaining a surety bond equal to the shortfall, not the full required amount. Here, $35,000 required minus $20,000 actual equals a $15,000 deficiency, so a $15,000 bond is required.

  10. 10. An investment adviser representative receives a client's check made payable to a qualified custodian for deposit into the client's account, and forwards the check to the custodian within two business days of receipt without depositing it into any account controlled by the adviser. Under the Uniform Securities Act's custody rules, this activity:

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. constitutes custody only if the check amount exceeds $5,000
    • B. constitutes custody, requiring a surprise examination by an independent accountant
    • C. constitutes custody, requiring the adviser to maintain a minimum net worth of $35,000
    • D. does not constitute custody because checks payable to third parties forwarded within three business days are excluded from the custody definition
    Show answer

    D. does not constitute custody because checks payable to third parties forwarded within three business days are excluded from the custody definition

    Receipt of a check drawn payable to a third party (such as a qualified custodian) that is forwarded to that third party within three business days does not constitute custody, since the adviser never gains control over client funds.

  11. 11. A state-registered broker-dealer's net capital falls below the minimum required by the state. Under the Uniform Securities Act's post-registration provisions, what is the firm's obligation upon discovering this deficiency?

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. The firm may continue normal operations as long as it corrects the deficiency within one year
    • B. No action is required unless the Administrator specifically requests updated financials
    • C. The firm must immediately cease all operations permanently
    • D. The firm must promptly notify the Administrator of the net capital deficiency
    Show answer

    D. The firm must promptly notify the Administrator of the net capital deficiency

    Post-registration provisions require broker-dealers to promptly notify the Administrator if their net capital falls below the required minimum, since financial requirements are a condition of continued registration and investor protection depends on timely disclosure.

  12. 12. An agent is found civilly liable for fraud under the Uniform Securities Act and the case proceeds to trial. Under the Act, the agent is entitled to:

    Remedies and Administrative Provisions

    • A. No trial at all, since Administrator determinations are final and binding on courts
    • B. A jury trial, the same as in other civil actions, since the Act does not eliminate this right
    • C. An administrative hearing before the Administrator instead of a court trial
    • D. A bench trial only, since securities matters are handled exclusively by judges
    Show answer

    B. A jury trial, the same as in other civil actions, since the Act does not eliminate this right

    Civil liability actions brought under the Uniform Securities Act are ordinary civil lawsuits filed in court, and defendants retain the same right to a jury trial as in any other civil action; nothing in the Act eliminates this constitutional and procedural right. Administrative hearings, by contrast, are conducted without juries since they are agency proceedings, not court trials.

  13. 13. Believing immediate action is necessary to protect the public, the Administrator issues an order summarily suspending a broker-dealer's registration without first holding a hearing. Which statement correctly describes this order under the Uniform Securities Act?

    Remedies and Administrative Provisions

    • A. The order requires prior approval from the SEC before it can take effect
    • B. The order is invalid because due process always requires a hearing before any suspension can take effect
    • C. The order is valid, but the Administrator must promptly notify the broker-dealer and grant a hearing within a reasonable time if one is requested
    • D. The order automatically becomes permanent unless a federal court intervenes within 10 days
    Show answer

    C. The order is valid, but the Administrator must promptly notify the broker-dealer and grant a hearing within a reasonable time if one is requested

    The Administrator may summarily suspend a registration pending final determination when the public interest requires prompt action, but due process requires that the affected party be given prompt notice and, if requested, an opportunity for a hearing to contest the order.

  14. 14. A state-chartered trust company operates a trust department that accepts customer orders to buy and sell securities on behalf of trust beneficiaries, receiving compensation for these services. Under the Uniform Securities Act, must the trust company register as a broker-dealer in the state?

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. No, but only if the trust company processes fewer than five trades per year
    • B. No, because banks, savings institutions, and trust companies are excluded from the definition of broker-dealer
    • C. Yes, because it effects securities transactions for compensation like any broker-dealer
    • D. Yes, unless it limits its trust department to institutional clients only
    Show answer

    B. No, because banks, savings institutions, and trust companies are excluded from the definition of broker-dealer

    The Uniform Securities Act specifically excludes banks, savings institutions, and trust companies from the definition of 'broker-dealer,' regardless of the volume or nature of the securities activity they conduct as part of their banking or trust business.

  15. 15. An investment adviser enters into a merger whereby its advisory contracts will be transferred to the surviving entity. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this assignment of advisory contracts to the new entity is permissible only if:

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. the adviser notifies clients within 30 days after the assignment has occurred
    • B. the assignment involves only a minority interest transfer
    • C. the SEC pre-approves the merger before any client is notified
    • D. the affected clients consent to the assignment prior to its taking effect
    Show answer

    D. the affected clients consent to the assignment prior to its taking effect

    Advisory contracts may not be assigned without the client's consent. It is an unethical business practice for an adviser to assign a client's contract to another party without obtaining that client's prior consent.

  16. 16. A private company sells its securities in a transaction involving offers to 8 persons within a 12-month period, with no advertising and no commissions paid to sales agents. This transaction most likely qualifies for which exemption under the Uniform Securities Act?

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. The private placement (limited offering) exemption
    • B. The isolated nonissuer transaction exemption
    • C. The federal covered securities exemption
    • D. The unsolicited order exemption
    Show answer

    A. The private placement (limited offering) exemption

    The private placement exemption under the Uniform Securities Act generally applies to offers made to no more than 10 persons (other than institutional investors) in a 12-month period, with no general advertising and no commissions paid on sales to noninstitutional purchasers. This scenario fits all those criteria.

  17. 17. A prosecutor wants to bring criminal charges against an agent for a securities fraud violation that occurred six years ago. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this prosecution is most likely:

    Remedies and Administrative Provisions

    • A. Permitted, because there is no time limit on criminal prosecutions under the Act
    • B. Barred, because no indictment or information may be filed more than five years after the alleged violation
    • C. Permitted only if the agent is still registered in the state
    • D. Barred, because criminal actions must be filed within one year of the violation
    Show answer

    B. Barred, because no indictment or information may be filed more than five years after the alleged violation

    The Uniform Securities Act generally bars criminal prosecution if no indictment is found, or information filed, within five years after the alleged violation. Since six years have passed, this prosecution would be time-barred.

  18. 18. A licensed CPA prepares tax returns for clients and, as part of year-end tax planning, occasionally suggests that clients consider municipal bond funds to reduce taxable income. She charges only her standard hourly accounting fee and does not hold herself out as offering investment advice. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this CPA is:

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. Required to register as an investment adviser representative of a broker-dealer
    • B. Required to register as an investment adviser because securities advice was given
    • C. Excluded from the definition of investment adviser because the advice is incidental to her accounting practice
    • D. Exempt only if she limits her securities advice to five or fewer clients per year
    Show answer

    C. Excluded from the definition of investment adviser because the advice is incidental to her accounting practice

    The USA excludes lawyers, accountants, teachers, and engineers (LATE) from the IA definition when investment advice is solely incidental to their profession and no special compensation is charged for it. Since her advice is incidental and uncompensated separately, she is excluded.

  19. 19. During an investigation, the Administrator issues a subpoena to a witness requiring production of records. The witness refuses to comply without justification. What is the Administrator's proper recourse?

    Remedies and Administrative Provisions

    • A. The Administrator may petition the appropriate court to hold the witness in contempt
    • B. The Administrator may impose an immediate criminal fine on the witness
    • C. The Administrator must abandon the investigation, as subpoenas are not enforceable
    • D. The Administrator may personally seize the records without further authorization
    Show answer

    A. The Administrator may petition the appropriate court to hold the witness in contempt

    Administrators lack direct enforcement power over disobeyed subpoenas; they must apply to a court of competent jurisdiction, which can hold the noncompliant witness in contempt. This preserves judicial oversight of enforcement actions against individuals.

  20. 20. A state-chartered trust company, as part of its normal trust and fiduciary business, manages investment portfolios for trust accounts and charges a fee for this service. Must the trust company register as an investment adviser under the Uniform Securities Act?

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. No, because banks and trust companies are excluded from the definition of investment adviser
    • B. Yes, because it receives compensation for managing securities portfolios
    • C. Yes, unless the trust company has fewer than 15 trust clients
    • D. No, but only if the trust company registers instead as a broker-dealer
    Show answer

    A. No, because banks and trust companies are excluded from the definition of investment adviser

    The Uniform Securities Act's definition of investment adviser expressly excludes banks, savings institutions, and trust companies performing their customary fiduciary functions. This exclusion applies regardless of fees charged or number of clients served.

  21. 21. An agent registered with a broker-dealer in State X has five existing retail clients who relocate to State Y, where the agent is not registered. Over the following 12 months, the agent executes trades for these five clients but solicits no new business in State Y. Under the de minimis exemption, is the agent required to register in State Y?

    Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Agents

    • A. No, because agents are never required to register in a state where they have no office
    • B. Yes, because any transaction with a resident of State Y requires registration
    • C. No, because the agent has not exceeded five retail clients in State Y within 12 months and the broker-dealer is registered there
    • D. Yes, unless the clients are all accredited investors
    Show answer

    C. No, because the agent has not exceeded five retail clients in State Y within 12 months and the broker-dealer is registered there

    The de minimis exemption allows an agent to transact business with no more than five retail clients in a state during a 12-month period without registering there, provided the agent's broker-dealer is registered (or excluded/exempt) in that state.

  22. 22. A supervised person of a federal covered investment adviser maintains a place of business in State Q and, over the preceding 12 months, has provided investment advice to 8 retail clients who are natural persons residing in State Q. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this supervised person:

    Regulation of Investment Advisers and IARs

    • A. must register as an investment adviser representative in State Q because more than five retail clients who are natural persons are served from a place of business there
    • B. is excluded from investment adviser representative registration because the adviser itself is federal covered
    • C. must register only if the assets under management attributable to those clients exceed $1 million
    • D. is exempt because supervised persons of federal covered advisers never register at the state level
    Show answer

    A. must register as an investment adviser representative in State Q because more than five retail clients who are natural persons are served from a place of business there

    A supervised person of a federal covered adviser is treated as an IAR subject to state registration if they have a place of business in the state and, in the preceding 12 months, have had more than five retail clients who are natural persons resident in that state. This individual exceeds that threshold and must register.

  23. 23. An agent employed by a broker-dealer offers a client a bond issued by the government of Canada. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this bond is:

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. Exempt from registration, in the same manner as securities issued by the U.S. government
    • B. Not exempt, because only U.S. federal government securities are exempt
    • C. Exempt only if it is sold through registration by coordination
    • D. Exempt only if it carries an investment-grade rating from two rating agencies
    Show answer

    A. Exempt from registration, in the same manner as securities issued by the U.S. government

    The Uniform Securities Act exempts securities issued or guaranteed by the United States, Canada, or any political subdivision or agency thereof, treating them like domestic government securities. No rating or registration process is required for this exemption to apply.

  24. 24. A broker-dealer sells a block of securities directly to another registered broker-dealer, acting as principal in the trade. Under the Uniform Securities Act, this transaction is:

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. Exempt only if approved in advance by the Administrator
    • B. Exempt, because it is a transaction between broker-dealers
    • C. Not exempt, because both parties must be agents, not principals
    • D. Not exempt, because dealer-to-dealer trades require registration by qualification
    Show answer

    B. Exempt, because it is a transaction between broker-dealers

    Transactions between broker-dealers (dealer-to-dealer transactions) are exempt transactions under the Uniform Securities Act because both parties are presumed to be sophisticated market professionals who do not need the protection of registration.

  25. 25. An agent's client, without any solicitation from the agent, calls and requests that the agent purchase shares of a nonreporting company that is not registered in the state. This is most likely an example of:

    Regulation of Securities and Issuers

    • A. An unsolicited (nonissuer) transaction exemption
    • B. A private placement exemption
    • C. An isolated nonissuer transaction
    • D. An exempt security
    Show answer

    A. An unsolicited (nonissuer) transaction exemption

    When a client initiates an unsolicited order for a nonissuer transaction, the transaction is exempt from the securities registration requirements, even though the security itself is not registered. This exemption does not exempt the agent or broker-dealer from their own registration requirements.

NASAA Series 63 flashcards

Tap a card to flip it. 174 flashcards in the full deck.

  • Solicitor as IAR

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    A person compensated for soliciting or referring clients to an investment adviser is generally considered an investment adviser representative under the USA, even without giving advice directly.

    • Solicitation for compensation triggers IAR status
    • No minimum dollar threshold exemption exists
    • Must meet state's IAR registration and disclosure requirements
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  • Isolated Nonissuer Transaction

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    An exemption for infrequent, non-recurring sales of securities by a person other than the issuer, such as a single sale by a shareholder.

    • Applies to nonissuer (secondary market) sales
    • Must be isolated, not part of a series of transactions
    • Commonly used by individual shareholders selling personal holdings
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  • Broker-Dealer Recordkeeping Period

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    Broker-dealers must generally retain required books and records for five years, keeping the first two years' records in an easily accessible location.

    • Five-year retention is the general standard
    • First two years must be readily accessible on-site or similar
    • Mirrors SEC recordkeeping rules for consistency across regulators
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  • Exempt Commercial Paper

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    Short-term promissory notes maturing in 9 months or less, rated in one of the top three categories, and sold in denominations of $50,000 or more, are exempt securities.

    • Maturity of 9 months or less
    • Top three rating categories required
    • Minimum denomination of $50,000
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  • No-Place-of-Business BD Exclusion

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    A broker-dealer with no place of business in a state is excluded from that state's BD definition if its only in-state clients are other broker-dealers, the issuer, or certain institutional investors.

    • Exclusion requires no physical office in the state
    • Clients must be limited to BDs, issuers, or institutions
    • Different from the agent de minimis exemption, which allows some retail clients
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  • Effective Date of Registration

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    Absent denial or a stop order, a broker-dealer or agent registration becomes effective automatically at noon on the 30th day after a complete application is filed.

    • 30-day default period runs from filing of complete application
    • Administrator may shorten this by rule or order
    • Applies similarly to agents, investment advisers, and IARs
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  • Notice Filing for Federal Covered Securities

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    States may require notice filings and fees for federal covered securities like registered investment company shares, but cannot require full registration.

    • NSMIA preempts state registration of federal covered securities
    • States retain notice filing and fee authority
    • Applies to mutual funds and NMS-listed securities
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  • Duty to Supervise

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    Broker-dealers must establish and enforce reasonable supervisory systems to detect and prevent agent misconduct; failure to do so is a violation even absent proof of actual knowledge.

    • A post-registration, ongoing obligation
    • Reviewed items include order tickets, trade blotters, correspondence
    • Failure to supervise can trigger BD discipline separate from agent's violation
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  • Minimum Net Worth & Bonding (Custody)

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    NASAA's model rule requires advisers with custody to maintain a minimum net worth (commonly $35,000); if net worth is deficient, the adviser must obtain a surety bond covering the shortfall.

    • $35,000 minimum net worth typical for custody
    • $10,000 minimum net worth typical for discretion without custody
    • Bond amount equals the deficiency, not the full requirement
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  • Inadvertent Custody Exclusion — Third-Party Checks

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    An adviser is not deemed to have custody when it receives a check made payable to a third party (e.g., custodian) and forwards it within three business days.

    • Applies only to checks payable to third parties, not the adviser
    • Must be forwarded within 3 business days to avoid custody
    • Distinguished from checks payable directly to the adviser, which do trigger custody
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  • Net Capital Deficiency Notification

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    A broker-dealer whose net capital falls below the state's required minimum must promptly notify the Administrator, as maintaining minimum net capital is a continuing condition of registration.

    • Net capital rules are a post-registration/financial responsibility requirement
    • Deficiency triggers a prompt notice obligation, not automatic cessation
    • Failure to notify can itself be grounds for disciplinary action
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  • Jury Trial Rights in Civil Liability Suits

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    Civil liability actions under the Uniform Securities Act are heard in court as ordinary civil suits, preserving the parties' right to a jury trial, distinct from Administrator administrative hearings which have no jury.

    • Civil suits differ from Administrator's administrative proceedings
    • Jury trial rights are preserved as in other civil litigation
    • Administrator's remedies (cease-and-desist, revocation) are separate from private civil actions
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  • Summary Suspension Pending Hearing

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    The Administrator may summarily suspend a registration to protect the public, but must provide prompt notice and a hearing opportunity thereafter.

    • Balances urgent public protection with due process rights.
    • Hearing occurs after the order, not before, in emergency situations.
    • Failure to request a hearing may allow the suspension to stand.
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  • Bank/Trust Company Exclusion

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    Banks, savings institutions, and trust companies are excluded from the USA's definition of 'broker-dealer,' so they never need BD registration for their banking/trust securities activities.

    • Exclusion applies automatically, not conditionally
    • Distinguishes financial institutions from firms needing BD registration
    • Employees of these institutions are also generally excluded from 'agent' definition
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  • Assignment of Advisory Contracts

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    An investment adviser may not assign a client's advisory contract to another party without the client's prior consent.

    • Assignment includes transfers via merger or change of control
    • Consent must be obtained before, not after, the assignment
    • Violation is an unethical business practice under the USA
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  • Private Placement Exemption

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    A transaction exemption for issuer sales made to a limited number of purchasers, generally no more than 10 noninstitutional offerees in 12 months, without advertising.

    • No more than 10 noninstitutional offerees in 12 months
    • No general advertising or solicitation
    • No commissions paid on sales to noninstitutional purchasers
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  • Criminal Statute of Limitations

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    Under the Uniform Securities Act, no indictment or information may be filed more than five years after the alleged violation.

    • Five-year limit applies to criminal prosecutions
    • Separate from the civil liability statute of limitations
    • Time runs from the date of the violation, not discovery
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  • LATE Exclusion

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    Lawyers, Accountants, Teachers, and Engineers are excluded from the IA definition if investment advice is solely incidental to their profession and no special compensation is charged.

    • Advice must be incidental, not the primary service
    • No extra fee for the advice itself
    • If advice becomes a distinct paid service, exclusion is lost
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  • Subpoena Enforcement

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    If a person refuses to comply with an Administrator's subpoena, the Administrator must seek court assistance, and the court may hold the person in contempt.

    • Administrators cannot enforce subpoenas unilaterally
    • Courts have contempt power over noncompliant witnesses
    • This process applies to both in-state and out-of-state witnesses
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  • Agent De Minimis Exemption

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    An agent may transact business with up to five retail clients in a state during any 12-month period without registering there, if the broker-dealer is registered or exempt in that state.

    • Limit is five retail clients per 12-month period
    • Institutional clients typically don't count toward the limit
    • Broker-dealer must itself be properly registered or excluded
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  • Federal Covered Adviser Supervised Person Registration

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    A supervised person of a federal covered adviser must register as an IAR in a state if they maintain a place of business there and have more than five retail clients who are natural persons resident in that state.

    • Threshold is 'more than five' retail natural-person clients in 12 months
    • Requires a place of business in the state to trigger registration
    • Institutional clients do not count toward the five-client threshold
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  • Canadian Government Securities Exemption

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    Securities issued by the U.S., Canada, or their political subdivisions/agencies are exempt securities under the USA.

    • Applies to Canada and Canadian provinces, not just the U.S.
    • No registration required for exempt securities
    • Exemption is from registration, not from antifraud provisions
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  • Dealer-to-Dealer Exemption

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    Sales between broker-dealers are exempt transactions because the parties are professionals not needing registration protections.

    • Applies whether acting as principal or agent
    • One of several institutional/professional exemptions
    • Does not exempt fraud liability
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  • Unsolicited Order Exemption

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    A transaction exemption that applies when a customer, without solicitation, requests execution of an order for an unregistered nonissuer transaction.

    • Exempts the transaction, not the security
    • Agent and broker-dealer must still be properly registered
    • Does not apply if the agent recommended or solicited the trade
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