Topic module

Broker-Dealer and Agent Registration

Series 66 also tests broker-dealer, underwriter, market maker, associated person, agent, Form BD, Form U4, records, and supervision rules.

Long-form learning
Concept to Risk to Memory to Check-up

How to study the Series 66

Treat the Series 66 as a dual-capacity exam: know the product, profile the client, then identify whether the person is acting as agent, adviser, or IAR.

Core concepts

Concept 1

Broker-dealer and agent definitions must be separated from adviser and IAR definitions.

Exam cue: Name the capacity: broker-dealer, agent, adviser, or IAR.

Concept 2

Registration and post-registration requirements include Form BD, Form U4, records, maintenance, confirmations, and supervision.

Exam cue: Check transaction-based compensation and order activity.

Concept 3

Dually registered professionals must know which capacity they are acting in for a given client interaction.

Exam cue: Look for required filings and supervision.

Risk pitfalls and guardrails

Treating dual registration as permission to blur capacity.

Guardrail: Do not let an exemption erase antifraud or disclosure duties.

Paying transaction compensation to an unregistered person.

Guardrail: Avoid answers that blur capacity, skip disclosure, ignore custody, or give unlimited administrator power.

Ignoring broker-dealer records because an advisory relationship exists.

Guardrail: Avoid answers that blur capacity, skip disclosure, ignore custody, or give unlimited administrator power.

Memory anchors

Broker-Dealer

A broker-dealer effects securities transactions for others or for its own account.

Agent

An agent represents a broker-dealer or issuer in securities transactions.

Underwriter

An underwriter participates in securities distribution for an issuer.

Market Maker

A market maker stands ready to buy and sell to support liquidity.

Associated Person

An associated person is connected with a broker-dealer under securities laws.

Form BD

Broker-dealer registration uses Form BD and related filings.

Broker-Dealer Records

Broker-dealers must maintain required books and records.

Trade Confirmation

Confirmations disclose important transaction details.

Agent Supervision

Broker-dealers must supervise agent securities activity.

Capacity Disclosure

Dual registrants should make the acting capacity clear.

Checkpoint rule

Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.

Knowledge Check (after reading)

Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.

Check-up Questions

1-2 question checkpoint

A firm effects securities transactions for the accounts of others or for its own account. What is such a firm generally called?

An individual represents a broker-dealer in effecting securities transactions with customers. What is this individual generally called?

Answer all questions to submit.

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