Chapter Introduction

This chapter covers 12% of the Series 63 exam (approximately 7 questions).


What You'll Learn

UnitTopicKey Concepts
1Definition of a Broker-DealerBD definition, exclusions, the no-place-of-business rules, Canadian limited registration
2Registration and Post-Registration RequirementsForm BD, consent to service of process, financial requirements, recordkeeping, denial and revocation
3Broker-Dealer Agent SupervisionWritten supervisory procedures, OSJs and branch inspections, failure to supervise

Why This Chapter Matters

A broker-dealer is an entity; its agents are individuals. Most exam traps live in the exclusions and in the three no-office rules, which look alike but turn on different facts.


Exam Strategy

At 12% of the exam, this chapter produces about 7 questions. Focus on:

  • Excluded from the BD definition: agents, issuers, banks, savings institutions, and trust companies
  • The three no-office rules: the snowbird (vacation) rule, the institution rule, and the de minimis rule
  • Canadian limited registration covers two specific categories of person and never waives antifraud
  • Failure to supervise is its own violation, separate from the underlying misconduct

-> Start Unit 1: Definition of a Broker-Dealer