The Series 7 license allows professionals to sell securities in the U. To obtain it, they must pass a rigorous exam covering various financial topics. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority FINRA administers the test, and most employers in the financial services industry require their employees to pass this exam. If you want a find a financial advisor who has a Series 7 certification, check out our free financial advisor matching tool to get linked to up to three experts in your area who best meet your particular needs. In order to sell any type of security besides commodities and futures, financial services practitioners must pass the Series 7 exam. It covers various topics such as financial industry regulations and client communications, as well as different types of securities and their associated risks. Series 7 financial advisors and other practitioners also specialize in building diversifiedrisk-assessed investment portfolios for their clients.