FINRA Reduces Waiting Periods for Retaking Qualification Exams

FINRA has adopted a welcome change for anyone working toward a securities license. The waiting period to retake a failed qualification exam has now been significantly reduced under amendments to Rule 1210.  

Previously, candidates had to wait 30 days after their first and second failed attempts and 180 days after their third and subsequent failures within a two-year period.

Under the new rule, the waiting periods have been shortened to 15 days after the first and second attempts and 60 days after the third and later attempts. The change applies to all FINRA qualification examinations, including the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam.  

For candidates pursuing registrations such as the Series 7, 79, 82, 24, or SIE — this is a meaningful improvement. Individuals who narrowly miss a passing score can get back to studying while the material is still fresh, reducing unnecessary delays in becoming registered and productive.

At Britehorn, we most often see pass-rate issues with the Series 82, which we believe to be entirely due to less effective study materials. You can read more on that here: "The Hidden Challenge With the Series 82: Bad Study Materials." We hope this will help candidates facing those challenges and continue to encourage them by letting them know it's not uncommon with the Series 82.

To learn more about which test you should be taking, we recommend reading "FINRA Series 7 vs. Series 82 vs. Series 79: Which License Is Right for You?" Please reach out if you're planning to take the SIE, Series 63, Series 79, or Series 7 — and could use a Kaplan study materials discount code.

Please note: while the SEC filing became immediately effective on June 29, 2026, FINRA has stated that the new waiting periods will become operational on a future implementation date to be announced in a Regulatory Notice.