Becoming a Financial Advisor Now Hinges on Series 7 Sponsorship

July 3, 2026 - 11:47

A new program is targeting the biggest hurdle for people looking to become financial advisors: getting a sponsor for the Series 7 exam. The Financial Advisor Training Institute has launched a 14-week online course that combines test prep with business development training. The goal is to give career changers the credentials and the practical skills that financial firms look for when hiring.

The Series 7 license is required to sell most securities, but an individual cannot take the exam without being sponsored by a registered firm. This creates a catch-22 for people who want to enter the field but do not already work for a brokerage or bank. The institute solves that problem by acting as the sponsor. Students complete the coursework and pass the exam, and the program includes a job placement guarantee.

The training focuses on two areas: passing the licensing test and learning how to build a client base. The institute says this combination is what the industry needs, as many firms struggle to find new advisors who are ready to work from day one. The program is based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and is open to applicants from across the country. For people looking to switch careers into financial services, the model removes the traditional barrier of finding a firm willing to take a chance on an unlicensed candidate.