To Whatever Extent You Participate, It Pays to Do So Objectively.

[ by Howard Haykin ]

FINRA is conducting job analysis surveys for the purpose of gathering information to update the Series 4, 9 and 10 qualification examinations.  By surveying currently registered individuals, FINRA seeks to learn details about roles, responsibilities and job functions, and then use that information to update the related qualification examinations.

FINRA hopes that survey recipients agree to participate to help ensure that qualification examination content accurately measures competence in a particular area.

Qualification Examinations.   Each qualification examination is developed from a content outline that describes the following:

• critical functions qualified individuals perform;
• topics covered on the qualification examination;
• identifies the relative emphasis of the topic areas.

Among other things, FINRA periodically reviews and, if necessary, updates the content outlines for qualification examinations to ensure they accurately reflect qualified individuals’ roles, responsibilities and job functions.

For 2013, FINRA is analyzing qualification exams for Series 4 - 9 - 10, as follows:

Series 4.     The Series 4, the Registered Options Principal (ROP) exam, qualifies a principal to supervise a firm’s options business.

Series 9 and 10.     The Series 9 and 10, the General Securities Sales Supervisor exams, qualify a principal to supervise a firm’s securities sales activities, with the exception of security futures.

A general securities sales supervisor is eligible to supervise the sales of security futures if he or she completes a firm-element CEP that addresses security futures products.

The Series 9 and 10 examinations do not qualify a principal to supervise:

• origination and structuring of underwritings;
• market making commitments;
• custody of firm or customer funds or securities for purposes of SEA Rule 15c3-3;
• overall compliance with financial responsibility rules.

Survey Recipients.   FINRA is sending surveys to individuals who currently hold these registrations.  Therefore,anyone who maintains any of these registrations may receive a request to participate in a job analysis survey related to that registration.

FINRA Staff Contacts.     Direct questions to:   Eva Cichy, Sr Qualifications Analyst, Testing and Continuing Ed. - -- (240) 386-4680; or Christie MacLean, Qualifications Analyst, Testing and Continuing Ed. - -- (212) 858-4079.

For further details, go to:   [ FINRA Info Note, 6/5/13 - "FINRA Surveys ..." ].