How to Become a Financial Advisor

Becoming a financial advisor is a rewarding and lucrative career choice. It offers opportunities to help individuals and businesses manage their finances, build wealth, and secure their financial future. However, the path to becoming a financial advisor varies widely in terms of time, cost, and difficulty.

Some aspiring advisors take the traditional university route, while others pursue self-study, apprenticeships, or industry training programs. This guide explores the most common pathways to becoming a financial advisor, compares their pros and cons, and highlights why the Financial Advisor Training Institute® (FATI) is the fastest, most effective route to launching a successful career in finance.

Main Ways of How to Become a Financial Advisor

Traditional University Degree + Firm Training

Path: Earn a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or business, then get hired by a firm that provides on-the-job training.

Pros:

• • A degree can improve credibility and long-term career prospects.
  • Large firms provide structured training programs.
  • Potential for networking with top financial firms.

Cons:

• • It takes 4+ years before entering the workforce.
  • High cost of tuition ($40K+ per year for some universities).
  • No guarantee of sponsorship for the Series 7 exam after graduation.

Best for: Individuals who aspire to pursue a traditional career path supported by established corporations and possess both the time and financial resources to invest in higher education. This approach typically appeals to those who value job security, structured advancement opportunities, and the benefits associated with a formal degree.

Self-Studying and Independent Licensing

Path: Study independently for the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 exams while searching for a sponsoring firm.

Pros:

• • More control over the learning process.
  • Can be done at your own pace.

Cons:

• • Finding sponsorship for Series 7 is extremely difficult.
  • No structured guidance, increasing the chances of failing the exams.
  • Lacks career support and job placement assistance.

Best suited for: Self-motivated individuals who possess a solid background in finance, including knowledge of financial principles, investment strategies, and market analysis. Additionally, candidates should have strong networking skills, enabling them to build and maintain professional relationships within the finance industry and leverage those connections for career advancement and opportunities.

Join a Financial Services Firm as an Apprentice

Path: Start in a non-advisor role (e.g., customer service or back-office support), then transition into a licensed financial advisor role through company-sponsored training.

Pros:

• • Firms often cover exam costs and licensing fees.
  • Gain industry experience before client-facing roles.

Cons:

• • Competitive and challenging to move up.
  • May take years before being licensed.
  • Limited earning potential during training.

Best for: Individuals aspiring to build a career in a financial firm can explore pathways that enable them to gain valuable work experience while postponing the need to take licensing exams. Opportunities such as internships, entry-level positions, or assistant roles within various departments—like compliance, operations, or financial analysis—can help them develop essential skills and knowledge about the industry. 

This approach not only allows for gradual professional growth but also helps them better understand their interests and strengths, ultimately preparing them for future licensing requirements when they choose to advance their careers.

Financial Advisor Training Institute® (FATI)– Fastest & Best Choice 

Path: Enroll in FATI’s 14-week* online Financial Advisor Training Course, which provides sponsorship, training, and career support to help students quickly become licensed financial advisors.

Pros:

• • Provides sponsorship for the Series 7 exam (eliminating the most significant hurdle).
  • Complete exam preparation for SIE, Series 7, and Series 66.
  • Accelerated training—get licensed in months, not years.
  • Job placement assistance after passing the exams.
  • No college degree is required.

Cons:

• • Requires upfront commitment to the training course.

Best for: Individuals serious about becoming financial advisors quickly, as well as those seeking financial advisor certification—especially career changers and those without prior finance experience—should take note.

Comparison of Financial Advisor Career Paths

Why FATI is the Best Choice for Future Financial Advisors Seeking Certification

1. Eliminates Sponsorship Challenges

• • Unlike other paths, FATI sponsors students, ensuring they can take the Series 7 exam without searching for a firm willing to sponsor them.

2. Fast-Track Licensing Process

• • Traditional paths take years—FATI’s structured course gets students licensed in months.

3. Comprehensive Exam Preparation

• • Includes SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 training with expert-led instruction.

4. Career Support and Job Placement

• • Unlike self-study routes, FATI provides career support to help students secure advisory positions after licensing.

5. Ideal for Career Changers

• • No prior finance experience or degree is required—FATI’s course is tailored for career changers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Become a Financial Advisor?

• • With traditional routes, 2-4 years.
  • With FATI’s accelerated course, 3-6 months.

Do I Need a Degree?

• • No, the Series 7 exam does not require a college degree.
  • Firms may have their hiring criteria, but FATI’s course is open to all eligible students.

What Happens If I Fail the Exam?

• • There is a 30-day waiting period to retake the exam.
  • After three failed attempts, a 180-day waiting period applies.
  • FATI provides personalized study plans to maximize passing rates.

How to Become a Financial Advisor: The Smartest & Fastest Path

Suppose you want to become a licensed financial advisor without wasting years in school or struggling to find sponsorship. In that case, FATI is the best option for those seeking a financial advisor certification.

Get sponsored, trained, and licensed in months.
Pass the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 with expert guidance.
Receive career support and job placement assistance.

Take the first step today—apply to FATI,  begin obtaining your financial advisor certification, and launch your financial advisor career!

Resources/Additional Information

*Course length when completed in normal time.