How much does the SIE exam cost?
The SIE exam costs $100. You pay it to FINRA when you enroll, by card, bank transfer or voucher. The fee covers one attempt, so each retake costs another $100. Canceling or moving your appointment within 10 business days costs $50 or $100. FINRA doesn't give refunds.
Three things decide what you spend beyond the $100:
- Passing on the first try. A fail means another $100 enrollment for the retake, after a wait. Our SIE retake guide covers the waits and the January 2027 change.
- Your next exam. The SIE alone doesn't let you work in a registered role. You also need the exam for your job, such as the Series 7 at $395.
- Prep. Study materials aren't part of the fee. They're the one cost you choose.
Did the SIE fee go up?
Yes. FINRA raised the SIE fee from $80 to $100 on January 1, 2026. Pages that still say $80 are out of date.
The SIE cost $60 when it started in October 2018. It had risen to $80 by 2024. The 2026 rise was part of a one-time increase across FINRA's exams. FINRA's current fee plan keeps the SIE at $100 through 2029.
How do you pay for the SIE?
You pay FINRA online through TESS, its enrollment system. It takes credit cards, debit cards and ACH bank payments, or you can redeem a voucher. You don't need a firm to enroll.
| Payment method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | The quickest way to pay |
| ACH bank payment | Typically up to 48 hours to process |
| Voucher | Redeem in TESS within six months of purchase |
Our SIE registration guide walks through every step.
Who pays for the SIE exam?
You pay the $100 yourself unless a voucher, a firm or the GI Bill covers it:
- Vouchers. Firms, schools, and training and test prep companies can buy SIE vouchers for candidates. You redeem the voucher in TESS instead of paying.
- Firm enrollment. A firm with access to FINRA's registration system can enroll you by filing a Form U4. FINRA then charges the fee to the firm's Flex-Funding Account.
- The GI Bill. FINRA says veterans who qualify for the GI Bill may be able to get the SIE fee reimbursed.
Already working at a firm, or holding a job offer? Ask that firm before you enroll yourself. It may enroll you and pay. FINRA doesn't refund a TESS payment.
SIE cancellation and rescheduling fees
Changing your SIE appointment is free with at least 10 business days' notice. Closer to the date, it costs $50 or the full $100.
| When you cancel or reschedule | Fee |
|---|---|
| At least 10 business days before | None |
| 3 to 10 business days before | $50 |
| 2 business days or less, or a no-show | $100 |
Each late fee is collected differently:
- The $50 fee. Prometric takes it by card at the time you cancel.
- The $100 fee, if you enrolled yourself. You forfeit the $100 you paid, and the enrollment is used up. You pay $100 again to re-enroll.
- The $100 fee, if a firm enrolled you. FINRA charges it to the firm. Your enrollment stays open, so you can book a new date before the window ends.
Booked a retake for after January 19, 2027? To test sooner, check for an earlier seat, then cancel before January 19 and rebook. A cancel inside 10 business days of your appointment costs $50 or $100. See how the new waits work.
Can you get a refund for the SIE?
No. Once FINRA processes your TESS payment, it doesn't accept refund requests. Three related rules trip people up:
- No transfers. You can't move a payment to another exam or to another person.
- No refund for a missed window. If your 120 days run out, you lose the fee. You pay again to re-enroll.
- No hardship policy. FINRA doesn't have one for candidates who can't take the exam.
How much do the SIE and Series 7 cost together?
The SIE and the Series 7 cost $495 together in FINRA exam fees. Add $147 if your state also requires the Series 63, a state law exam.
| Exam | What it's for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| SIE | Industry basics | $100 |
| Series 6 | Funds and variable contracts | $100 |
| Series 7 | General securities | $395 |
| Series 63 | State law | $147 |
The Series 7 also went up on January 1, 2026, from $300 to $395. A firm must sponsor you for it. Ask your firm who pays the fee before you start. For the Series 7 itself, see our Series 7 exam guide. For the SIE's format and rules, see our guide to the SIE exam.
How much does SIE prep cost?
Prep can cost nothing: FINRA's own 75-question practice test is free. So is our SIE practice test, with 15 questions and every answer explained.
Paid courses differ in price and in what they include. Our guide to the best SIE exam prep compares the main options. Our own plans are on our pricing page:
- All Access, $39 a month. Every course we offer. The 7-day free trial opens one full module. You add a card, and nothing is charged until day 7.
- Single course, $149 once. One course for 12 months, with our Pass Guarantee. Finish the course. If you fail the exam, you keep access free until you pass.
How to save money on the SIE exam
The cheapest SIE is one attempt with no late change fees:
- Book early, then sit it when you're ready. Pick a date at the end of your study plan. You're ready at 80% or more on fresh, full-length, timed practice. If you're not there 10 business days before, move the date for free.
- Enroll only when you can test within 120 days. Your window opens the day after FINRA processes your enrollment. If it runs out, the $100 is gone.
SIE exam cost FAQs
Is the SIE cheaper online than at a test center?
No. FINRA lists one $100 fee. You choose a test center or online testing when you schedule.
Is there a student discount on the SIE?
FINRA doesn't list one. Schools can buy SIE vouchers for students, so ask your career office before you pay.
Do you pay FINRA or Prometric for the SIE?
FINRA. You pay the $100 in TESS when you enroll. Prometric runs the test, and you go to Prometric to change a booking. It collects the $50 change fee by card.
Do you pay again if your SIE pass expires?
Yes. An SIE pass lasts four years. If you haven't registered through a firm by then, you pay $100 to take it again.
Related SIE guides
Sources
- FINRA, Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam: the $100 fee, payment methods, vouchers, firm enrollment, GI Bill reimbursement and rescheduling around January 19, 2027
- FINRA, Test Enrollment Services System (TESS) FAQ: payment methods, retake enrollment, the 120-day window and refunds
- FINRA, Reschedule or Cancel Your Appointment: change fees, deadlines and forfeited fees
- FINRA By-Laws, Schedule A, Section 4: exam fees and the late change charges
- SEC Release No. 34-101696 (FINRA filing SR-FINRA-2024-019), November 21, 2024: the 2026 exam fee increase, including the SIE from $80 to $100 and the Series 7 from $300 to $395
- FINRA filing SR-FINRA-2026-020 (2026): later fee changes, noting that exam fee increases were fully in place by 2026
- FINRA Regulatory Notice 18-27 (September 6, 2018): the original $60 SIE fee
- FINRA, SIE postcard for military service members (PDF): GI Bill reimbursement (also on the SIE page)
- FINRA, Series 7 exam page: the $395 fee, sponsorship and the SIE corequisite
- FINRA, Series 6 exam page: the $100 fee and sponsorship
- FINRA, Series 63 exam page: the $147 fee for this NASAA exam, which FINRA administers
- FINRA, SIE practice test: the free 75-question test
- SIE Simplified pricing page, checked October 28, 2026
- FINRA, User Guide for Enrolling Individuals for the SIE Exam (Non-Form U4): vouchers can be redeemed within six months of purchase
- FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18 (October 14, 2026): the 120-day window begins the day after FINRA processes an enrollment
Every fee on this page is checked against the sources listed above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us through the contact page and we'll fix it.