FINRA Series 24 Exam: General Securities Principal Guide

By IIC Lakshya

09 Jan 2026

ACCA

FINRA Series 24 Exam: General Securities Principal Guide

If you are preparing for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 24 Exam, you must learn about the eligibility criteria, the syllabus, and tips to crack the exam. In this article, you will learn about these aspects to better prepare for the exam. Furthermore, explore the diverse career paths available for the FINRA Series 24 exam qualification.

What is the FINRA Series 24 Exam?

The FINRA Series 24 Exam is officially called the General Securities Principal (GSP) Examination. The exam is designed for aspiring candidates and working professionals aiming to work in the Securities industry.

Candidates must go through the FINRA Series exam step-by-step study guide accordingly prepare effectively. The exam is related to the roles and responsibilities of supervising broker-dealer operations and registered representatives.

To work as a General Securities Principal, candidates must qualify for the FINRA Series 24 exam. This will give them authority to perform the following tasks:

Supervise trading
Overlooking sales activities
Managing branch operations
Ensuring compliance with SEC and FINRA regulations
Approving customer accounts

Eligibility Criteria for FINRA Series 24 Exam

Read about the eligibility criteria of the FINRA Series 24 exam to prepare effectively. Candidates must develop a better understanding of the FINRA exam course and syllabus. These requirements are not formal educational prerequisites; however, these requirements help professionals develop a better understanding of supervision and compliance in the Securities industry.

Candidates must be associated with the FINRA-member brand or firm
FINRA aspirants must also acquire firm sponsorship through FINRA
Candidates must hold all active Series 7 registrations
Designation acquired by candidates is for a principal-level supervisory position or role

FINRA Series 24 Exam Syllabus

Candidates must appear for the FINRA Series 24 exam and answer multiple-choice questions. It evaluates the knowledge and skills of candidates in real supervisory situations. By reading the FINRA Series exam study books, candidates develop a better understanding of the syllabus. Below are the different sections of the Series 24 exam:

Supervision of Investment Banking & Trading Activities

Candidates will learn about trading practices in this section. It will help candidates develop insights into trading thus working effectively as Securities professionals. Furthermore, there are other topics like market making and regulatory oversight which are covered in this area.

Compliance & Regulatory Requirements

This is the section where the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and FINRA rules are taught to the candidates. Through the understanding of the rules, candidates also learn about what is the FINRA exam! They also learn about customer protection regulations along with a deeper understanding of the AML obligations in the Securities industry.

Supervision of Retail & Institutional Sales

In this section, candidates learn about communications and advertising. It guides them to learn and understand the sales practice rules and suitability requirements. Securities professionals will develop insight in this section.

Operational & Risk Management Oversight

Topics that are covered in this area are net capital rules, books and records. Candidates will also learn about internal controls and their functions in this section.

How to Crack the FINRA Series 24 Exam?

There are tips and strategies that you can implement to crack the FINRA Series 24 exam. There are different FINRA exam levels that candidates can use to develop a study plan. Candidates must implement a comprehensive and disciplined study approach to pass the FINRA Series 24 exam:

Mastering the FINRA and the SEC regulations is a must when it comes to a principal's position
Using mock tests and practice exams regularly will help candidates identify the weak areas and work on them
FINRA aspirants must focus on compliance judgment and supervisory scenarios
Developing a study plan that covers all the syllabus sections
Reviewing regulatory rationales for every correct answer in the exam helps candidates develop insights

Career Path After FINRA Series 24 Exam

There are diverse career paths for candidates who appear for the FINRA Series 24 exam. The responsibilities related to this qualification are compliance and senior leadership roles.

In the broker-dealer firms, this certification is a necessary prerequisite for management and executive positions. Below are the professional positions that FINRA Series 24 exam-qualified candidates can apply for:

Operations & Risk Supervisor
General Securities Principal
Senior Regulatory Oversight Professional
Branch Manager
Compliance Manager or Director

Wrapping Up!

In conclusion, the FINRA Series 24 exam is a significant credential for individuals who are aiming to work in the Securities industry. Professionals can work in the principal-level supervisory roles with this certification. Follow all the discussed criteria, syllabus details, and career paths in this article to prepare for leadership positions.

Frequently Asked Questions on FINRA Series 24 Exam

What is the 2-year rule for FINRA?

The 2-year rule for FINRA is that even if a candidate has terminated their registration with FINRA, they are still subject to all its rules and regulations for the next 2 years.

What is the easiest FINRA exam?

The easiest FINRA exam considered for all candidates is the introductory exam, Securities Industry Essentials (SIE). The pass rate of this exam is 82% helping prepare the candidates better.

Does Series 7 have a lot of math?

Candidates appearing for the FINRA Series 7 exam are expected to have detailed knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Instead of thinking of it as math, it is the knowledge of using the right formula that helps them crack the exam.

Who is eligible for the FINRA exam?

All candidates applying for the FINRA exam must be above 18 years old. They must complete Form U4, and they will be subjected to complete disclosure and background checks.

Is the Series 24 harder than the 7?

The FINRA Series 24 exam is more intense as it requires a deeper understanding of the securities industry. However, the FINRA Series 7 is considered one of the hardest exams.