Our Standards, Licensure & Designations
Fiduciary Standard
When working in an advisory capacity, our advisors act as fiduciaries, legally required to put their clients’ financial interests first, with loyalty, care, and full transparency. They recommend investments and strategies that benefit their clients, even if it means lower compensation for them.
Licensure
Passing the Series 6, the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Exam, allows registered representatives to sell certain packaged securities products, such as mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life insurance, and unit investment trusts, but not individual stocks or bonds.
Passing the Series 7 exam, the General Securities Representative Qualification Exam, allows a registered representative to trade and sell securities like stocks, corporate bonds, municipal securities, options, mutual funds, and certain variable contracts.
The Series 63 exam, the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam, is a licensing exam required by most U.S. states for individuals who want to sell securities or solicit orders within a state. It was developed by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and is administered by FINRA to ensure representatives understand state-level securities laws—often referred to as “blue sky laws.” It is narrower in scope than exams like the Series 7, focusing specifically on state law rather than federal securities rules.
The Series 65 exam, the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam, is a licensing test that qualifies individuals to act as investment adviser representatives (IARs). IARs are required to act in a fiduciary capacity under federal law when acting in an advisory capacity. The Series 65 is typically required for financial professionals who want to provide fee-based investment advice.
Designations
The Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation reflects specific training in comprehensive financial planning and a commitment to helping clients make informed, long‑term decisions. Professionals who earn the ChFC® designation complete a course of study designed to deepen their expertise across the full financial planning landscape.
The ChFC® curriculum covers topics such as investments, retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, risk management, financial estate planning, and behavioral finance. Unlike a single exam‑based designation, the ChFC® requires successful completion of multiple in‑depth courses, demonstrating sustained commitment. Designation holders also complete ongoing continuing education to stay current as strategies, regulations, and client needs evolve.