Candidates sponsored by a FINRA member firm take the Series 99 exam to obtain the Operations Professional registration, along with passing the SIE. This page provides free practice questions, worked question explanations, and factual details on exam administration to help candidates review operations topics and test procedures before scheduling their test.
The Series 99 has 50 questions and costs $100[1] (FINRA, verified Oct 25, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 50 multiple-choice items[1] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Passing score | 68[1] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $100[1] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal | Continuing Education: Firm Element + Regulatory Element[1] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Prometric test center; online only with approved accommodation[2] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | FINRA member-firm sponsorship; pass the SIE too[1] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Testing window | 120-day window after enrollment[2] | FINRA · Oct 25, 2026 |
According to FINRA, “Candidates must pass both the Series 99 exam and the SIE exam to obtain the Operations Professional registration.”[1]
The Series 99 qualification evaluates individuals performing operations functions at broker-dealers for the Operations Professional registration. Eligibility requires FINRA member-firm sponsorship, and candidates must pass the SIE too to obtain the credential. The examination cost is $100. Once a sponsoring firm completes enrollment, FINRA opens a 120-day window during which the candidate must take the examination.
The test consists of 50 multiple-choice items, and the required passing score is 68. Testing is conducted through Prometric. Candidates take the test in person at a Prometric test center; taking the test online is permitted only with an approved accommodation from FINRA. Official retake waiting periods and qualification standards are defined by FINRA, while state registration requirements can vary by state. Candidates should review FINRA and state regulator publications for specific filing procedures.
Following qualification, individuals holding an Operations Professional registration must satisfy Continuing Education requirements. This program includes the Firm Element and the Regulatory Element to keep professionals informed of regulatory updates and compliance standards.
Prepare for the Series 99 - Operations Professional Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: What is a suitability assessment?
Answer: B. Client-investment match
Explanation:
Option B is correct because a suitability assessment evaluates whether a financial product or strategy fits a customer profile, confirming a proper client-investment match based on investment goals and risk tolerance. Option A is incorrect because trade speed relates to transaction execution systems, not evaluating investor suitability. Option C is incorrect because portfolio value simply measures total account worth rather than whether an asset aligns with client needs. Option D is incorrect because commission rate reflects transaction pricing rather than product appropriateness. Remember that suitability focuses on aligning investment characteristics with customer profiles rather than execution mechanics, fees, or account balances.
Question: What is the MOST important reason for Operations Professional Exam professionals to maintain continuing education?
Answer: B. To stay current with evolving standards, practices, and regulations
Explanation:
Option B is correct because continuing education ensures registered operations personnel remain informed about evolving industry regulations, market standards, and operational practices. Option A is incorrect because continuing education is a regulatory obligation, not a tool for adjusting service billing rates. Option C is incorrect because fulfilling continuing education is mandated by regulatory bodies to protect market integrity, not merely to satisfy employer preferences. Option D is incorrect because the purpose of continuing education is maintaining competence, not accumulating credentials for personal prestige. The regulatory rule to remember is that continuing education exists to uphold operational competence and compliance with industry standards across financial markets.
Question: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) principle applies to ALL Series 99 certified professionals regardless of their specific role?
Answer: B. PPE must be properly fitted, maintained, and replaced as needed
Explanation:
Option B is correct because safety gear must be fitted correctly, maintained in good condition, and replaced when worn to provide genuine physical protection. Option A is incorrect because experience never negates the requirement to wear protective equipment in environments where hazards exist. Option C is incorrect because equipment must be specifically rated for particular operational hazards rather than assuming any item provides adequate coverage. Option D is incorrect because protective equipment protocols apply during routine activities, not merely during formal facility inspections. The essential principle to remember is that safety equipment requires proper sizing, routine maintenance, and timely replacement whenever deployed.
Preparing for the examination involves pairing targeted practice questions with official regulatory notices during the 120-day enrollment window. Candidates should organize their review around key operational subject areas:
Simulate exam conditions by completing full sets of 50 multiple-choice items without reference notes. Aim for consistent scores exceeding the passing score of 68 prior to arriving at the Prometric test center.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.
The passing score is 68. Candidates must achieve this score on the examination, which consists of 50 multiple-choice items. Scoring is administered following the testing session at a Prometric test center, or through online delivery if an accommodation has been approved by FINRA. Candidates must also pass the SIE exam to obtain the Operations Professional registration.
Candidates must have sponsorship from a FINRA member firm to enroll for the Series 99 exam. In addition to sponsorship, candidates must pass the SIE exam to obtain the Operations Professional registration. Individuals cannot self-sponsor for this qualification exam, as enrollment must be initiated by an employer that is a member firm.
The cost is $100 for the Series 99 exam. This fee is paid when the sponsoring FINRA member firm enrolls the candidate to take the examination. Sponsoring firms typically handle registration and fee payment on behalf of candidates during the qualification process.
FINRA posts a 120-day window after enrollment in which the exam must be taken. Once this window opens, candidates must schedule and complete their examination appointment through Prometric before the window closes. If an appointment is not scheduled within this designated testing period, the enrollment expires.
Testing is delivered primarily at a Prometric test center. Taking a FINRA exam online is permitted only if a candidate requests and receives an approved accommodation. Without an approved accommodation from FINRA, candidates must attend an in-person testing session at an authorized Prometric center.
Registered Operations Professionals are subject to Continuing Education requirements comprising the Firm Element and the Regulatory Element. Maintaining this registration requires staying compliant with training programs designated by the member firm and completing regulatory modules specified by FINRA to ensure knowledge of current industry practices.