Series 65 / IAR Registration · Pennsylvania
Series 65 in Pennsylvania: Registration Requirements
Everything you need to register as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) in Pennsylvania: which exam qualifies, fees, financial requirements, and whether your professional
designation can waive the Series 65. New to the exam? Start with what the Series 65 actually covers or our step-by-step IAR registration guide.
Credential Waivers in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania waives the Series 65 exam for IAR applicants who hold one of the following credentials in good standing:
- CFP
- CFA
- ChFC
- PFS
- CIC
Pennsylvania grants the standard NASAA exam waiver for IARs holding a CFP, CFA, ChFC, PFS, or CIC in good standing.
See our full guide to Series 65 exam waivers (CFP, CFA, ChFC, PFS, CIC) for the credential-by-credential rules and how to file.
Pennsylvania IAR Registration at a Glance
- Qualifying Exam
- Series 65 or Series 66 (with Series 7)
- Registration Fee
- $135
- Annual Renewal
- $135
- Continuing Education
- Not currently required
- Surety Bond firm-level
- Not required
- Net Worth Requirement firm-level
- Not required
- Filing Method
- IARD
- De Minimis Exemption
- Up to 5 clients / 12 mo
- State vs SEC AUM Threshold firm-level
- $100M ($100M federal default)
- Prior-Registration Reciprocity
- 2-year window from prior IAR registration
IARD Renewal Window
IAR registration in Pennsylvania is renewed annually through the IARD system on the same cycle every state uses:
- Early November: Preliminary renewal statements post on FINRA Gateway.
- Early December: Preliminary statement payment deadline (early December each year; submit a few days before to allow processing).
- January 1: Registrations not funded by the December deadline are terminated for the new year.
- Early January: Final renewal statements post, reflecting any post-deadline changes.
- Late January: Final statement payment deadline.
Exact 2026/2027 dates are published in the annual IARD Renewal Bulletin. Verify current dates at iard.com/renewal-program.
What's Specific to Pennsylvania
- IAR initial and renewal filing fee is $135 per representative (10 Pa. Code Chapter 303).
- Pennsylvania has not adopted the NASAA IAR CE Model Rule as of 2026.
- In 2012 the former Pennsylvania Securities Commission was merged into the Department of Banking and Securities, creating a unified state financial regulator.
- IARs are subject to the net-capital and surety-bond rules applicable to Pennsylvania-registered firms (10 Pa. Code 303.042) when employed by state-registered advisers with discretionary authority or custody.
Last verified: 2026-05-05
Which exam do I need for IAR registration in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania accepts the Series 65 or Series 66 (with Series 7). Pennsylvania also waives the exam for holders of these credentials in good standing: CFP, CFA, ChFC, PFS, CIC.
Does Pennsylvania waive the Series 65 for CFP holders?
Yes. Pennsylvania waives the Series 65 for active CFP holders in good standing. Pennsylvania grants the standard NASAA exam waiver for IARs holding a CFP, CFA, ChFC, PFS, or CIC in good standing.
What does it cost to register as an IAR in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's IAR registration fee is $135 with a renewal fee of $135. Additional IARD system fees apply at the federal level. Annual renewal runs through IARD: preliminary statements post in early November, payment is due in early December, and final statements are reconciled in late January.
Does Pennsylvania require continuing education for IARs?
Pennsylvania has not adopted the NASAA IAR CE model rule. IARs registered only in Pennsylvania have no state-level CE obligation. IARs also registered in adopting states must follow the most stringent CE requirement among them.
How many Pennsylvania clients can an out-of-state adviser have without registering?
Up to 5 Pennsylvania clients in any rolling 12-month period, provided the adviser has no place of business in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania follows the NSMIA federal standard: an out-of-state adviser without a place of business in Pennsylvania and fewer than six clients who are residents in the previous 12 months is exempt from registration.
Does prior registration in another state qualify me for Pennsylvania's exam waiver?
Yes. Pennsylvania exempts applicants who have been actively registered as an IAR in another U.S. jurisdiction within the past 2 years. The reciprocity does not apply if your registration has lapsed beyond that window.
When does an IA firm based in Pennsylvania have to register with the SEC instead of the state?
Pennsylvania follows the standard federal "mid-sized adviser" rule: state-registered up to $100M RAUM, must register with the SEC at $110M, and may stay state-registered until dropping below $90M after SEC registration.
Sources & Verification
This page was last verified on 2026-05-05. Fees, CE, and waiver rules change. Always confirm with the regulator before relying on these figures for an actual filing.
- Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dobs/securities
- NASAA (exam waivers, IAR CE model rule, and state IA registration index): nasaa.org/industry-resources/investment-advisers
- IARD (annual renewal program and bulletin): iard.com/renewal-program