California Occupational License

License Title:
    Broker-Dealer Certificate
Return to Occupation Profile
Licensing Agency:
     Department of Business Oversight
     Sacramento Office
     Public Affairs

Licensing Agency Contact Information:
     Address: 1515 K Street, Suite 200
Sacramento,  CA  95814

     Phone Number: (916) 327-7585
     Internet Address: http://www.dbo.ca.gov

License Requirements, Fees, and Examination Information:
Any person engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities in California.

Note: There are certain exclusions from definition of broker-dealer (Corporations Code Section 25004). There are also various exemptions from the certification requirements (Corporations Code Section 25210) for certain broker-dealers.

Fees: Initial Application: $300.
Annual Assessment: Minimum $75.

Examination Frequency: Contact the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers Regulation, Inc. (NASDR), concerning examination frequency.

Exam Locations: Examine locations are determined by the FINRA.

Experience Requirement: N/A

Average Time to Process Application: Form BD (Uniform Application for Broker-Dealer Registration): 30 - 45 days; Application by Notification [Pursuant to Corporations Code Section 25211(b)]: Three (3) business days after application has been filed with the Commissioner or upon the day certificate is issued, whichever occurs first.

Renewal Period: December 31 of each year.

Special License Requirements: Every individual who is a broker-dealer, or compliance supervisor or reported agent of a broker-dealer shall pass the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination (Series 63) or the Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66) and meet all applicable examination requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the self-regulatory organization of which the broker-dealer is a member.

Any person who intends to become a broker-dealer in California must apply for a broker-dealer certificate by filing an application. The application (Form BD) should be filed directly with the Central Registration Depository ("CRD").

Authority: Corporations Code, Sections 25210, 25211 and 25217.
Occupations To Which This License Applies:
Occupation TitleSOC Code
Real Estate Brokers 419021