
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32419-32431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14667]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81098; File No. SR-FINRA-2017-007]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Adopt 
Consolidated Registration Rules, Restructure the Representative-Level 
Qualification Examination Program, Allow Permissive Registration, 
Establish Exam Waiver Process for Persons Working for Financial 
Services Affiliate of Member, and Amend the Continuing Education 
Requirements

July 7, 2017.

I. Introduction

    On March 28, 2017, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to adopt rules relating to 
qualification and registration requirements in the Consolidated FINRA 
Rulebook,\3\ restructure the current representative-level qualification 
examinations, create a general knowledge examination and specialized 
knowledge examinations, allow permissive registration, establish an 
exam waiver process for persons working for a financial services 
affiliate of a member, and amend certain Continuing Education (``CE'') 
requirements. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the 
Federal Register on April 10, 2017.\4\ The Commission received 18 
comments in response to the proposed rule change.\5\ On May 12, 2017, 
FINRA extended the time period for the Commission to act on the 
proposal to July 7, 2017. On June 26, 2017, FINRA submitted a response 
to the commenter letters.\6\ This order approves the proposed rule 
change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ The current FINRA rulebook consists of: (1) FINRA rules; (2) 
NASD rules; and (3) rules incorporated from the NYSE (``Incorporated 
NYSE rules''). While the NASD rules generally apply to all FINRA 
members, the Incorporated NYSE rules apply only to those members of 
FINRA that are also members of the NYSE. The FINRA rules apply to 
all FINRA members, unless such rules have a more limited application 
by their terms. For more information about the rulebook 
consolidation process, see Information Notice, March 12, 2008 
(Rulebook Consolidation Process).
    \4\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80371 (April 4, 2017), 
82 FR 17336 (``Notice'').
    \5\ See letter from Inigo J. Bengoechea, Director, Program 
Recognition, and Daniel J. Larocco, Manager, Program Recognition, 
CFA Institute, dated March 30, 2017 (``CFA Letter''); letter from 
Nathaniel Downes, CFA Society, Los Angeles, dated April 4, 2017 
(``CFA Los Angeles Letter''); letter from Roman Iwachiw, CFA 
Society, Washington, DC, dated April 7, 2017 (``CFA DC Letter''); 
letter from Pat Swanson, President, CFA Societies Texas, dated April 
10, 2017 (``CFA Texas Letter''); letter from John Skinner, Atlanta 
Society of Finance and Investment Professionals, dated April 18, 
2017 (``CFA Atlanta Letter''); letter from Matthew O'Hara, CFA 
Society, San Francisco, dated April 20, 2017 (``CFA San Francisco 
Letter''); letter from Douglas Jackman and Shannon Curley, CFA 
Society, Chicago, dated April 26, 2017 (``CFA Chicago Letter''); 
letter from Philip J. Taylor, New York Society of Security Analysts, 
Inc., dated April 28, 2017 (``CFA New York Letter''); letter from 
Jeanne W. Wolf, CFA Society, Boston, dated April 28, 2017 (``CFA 
Boston Letter''); letter from David T. Bellaire, Executive Vice 
President & General Counsel, Financial Services Institute, dated May 
1, 2017 (``FSI Letter''); letter from Michelle Van Tassel, 
President, Association of Registration Management, Inc., dated May 
1, 2017 (``ARM Letter''); letter from Kevin Zambrowicz, Managing 
Director & Associate General Counsel, Securities Industry and 
Financial Markets Association, dated May 1, 2017 (``SIFMA Letter''); 
letter from Mike Rothman, President, North American Securities 
Administrators Association, Inc., dated May 1, 2017 (``NASAA 
Letter''); letter from Robert J. McCarthy, Director of Regulatory 
Policy, Wells Fargo Advisors, dated May 1, 2017 (``Wells Fargo 
Letter''); letter from Norman L. Ashkenas, Richard J. O'Brien, and 
Jason Linde, Fidelity Investments, dated May 1, 2017 (``Fidelity 
Letter''); letter from Erwin J. Dugasz, Jr., Managing Counsel, 
Nationwide (``Nationwide Letter''); letter from Eric Arnold & 
Clifford Kirsch, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, on behalf of the 
Committee of Annuity Insurers, dated May 1, 2017 (``CAI Letter''); 
and letter from Daniel Kosowsky, Chief Compliance Officer, Morgan 
Stanley & Co. LLC, and Rose-Anne Richter, Chief Compliance Officer, 
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, dated June 5, 2017 (``Morgan 
Stanley Letter'').
    \6\ See letter from Afshin Atabaki, Associate General Counsel, 
FINRA, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated June 26, 
2017 (``FINRA Response Letter'').
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II. Description of the Proposal \7\
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    \7\ FINRA states that the proposed rule change combines the 
proposals set forth in Regulatory Notices 09-70 (December 2009) and 
15-20 (May 2015) with a few changes, including those made in 
response to comments. See Notice, supra note 4.
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    FINRA proposes to adopt with amendments the NASD and Incorporated 
NYSE rules relating to qualification and registration as FINRA rules in 
the Consolidated FINRA Rulebook. In addition, FINRA proposes to 
restructure the current representative-level qualification 
examinations, create a general knowledge examination and specialized 
knowledge examinations and amend the CE requirements, among other 
changes.\8\
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    \8\ In addition, FINRA proposes to delete certain Incorporated 
NYSE rules. FINRA states that these rules are substantially similar 
to the proposed rules, otherwise incorporated in the proposed rules, 
rendered obsolete by the proposed rules, or addressed by other 
rules. See id.
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A. Registration Requirements

    Proposed Rule 1210 provides that each person engaged in the 
investment

[[Page 32420]]

banking or securities business of a member must register with FINRA as 
a representative or principal in each category of registration 
appropriate to the person's functions and responsibilities as specified 
in proposed Rule 1220, unless exempt from registration pursuant to 
proposed Rule 1230. Proposed Rule 1210 also provides that such person 
is not qualified to function in any registered capacity other than that 
for which the person is registered, unless otherwise stated in the 
rules.

B. Minimum Number of Registered Principals

    Proposed Rule 1210.01 provides that each member, except a member 
with only one associated person, shall have at least two officers or 
partners who are registered as General Securities Principals, provided 
that, a member whose activities are limited in scope, may instead have 
two officers or partners who are registered in a principal category 
that corresponds to the scope of the member's activities. The 
requirement that a member have a minimum of two principals shall apply 
to broker-dealers seeking to become FINRA members, as well as existing 
members.\9\
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    \9\ Proposed Rule 1210.01 also provides that, pursuant to the 
Rule 9600 Series, FINRA may waive the requirement that a member have 
a minimum of two principals in situations that indicate conclusively 
that only one person associated with an applicant for membership or 
existing member should be required to register as a principal.
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    The proposed Rule also provides that an applicant for membership or 
existing member shall have at least one person: (i) Registered as a 
Financial and Operations Principal or an Introducing Broker-Dealer 
Financial and Operations Principal; (ii) designated as a Principal 
Financial Officer; and (iii) designated as a Principal Operations 
Officer. An applicant for membership or existing member, if the nature 
of its business so requires, shall also have at least one person 
registered as: (1) An Investment Banking Principal; (2) a Research 
Principal; (3) a Securities Trader Principal; and (4) a Registered 
Options Principal.

C. Permissive Registrations

    Proposed Rule 1210.02 provides that a member may make application 
for, or maintain the registration as a representative or principal of, 
any associated person of the member and any individual engaged in the 
investment banking or securities business of a foreign securities 
affiliate or subsidiary of the member. The proposed Rule also provides 
that individuals maintaining permissive registrations shall be 
considered registered persons and subject to all FINRA rules, to the 
extent relevant to their activities.
    In addition, proposed Rule 1210.02 provides that, consistent with 
the requirements of Rule 3110, members shall have adequate supervisory 
systems and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that individuals 
with permissive registrations do not act outside the scope of their 
assigned functions. The proposed rule further provides that, with 
respect to an individual who solely maintains a permissive 
registration(s), the individual's direct supervisor shall not be 
required to be a registered person. However, for purposes of compliance 
with Rule 3110(a)(5), a member shall assign a registered supervisor who 
shall be responsible for periodically contacting such individual's 
direct supervisor to verify that the individual is not acting outside 
the scope of his assigned functions. If such individual is permissively 
registered as a representative, the registered supervisor shall be 
registered as a representative or principal. If the individual is 
permissively registered as a principal, the registered supervisor shall 
be registered as a principal. However, the registered supervisor of an 
individual who solely maintains a permissive registration(s) shall not 
be required to be registered in the same registration category as the 
permissively-registered individual.
    Proposed Rule 1210.02 expands the scope of permissive registrations 
by allowing any associated person (and any individual engaged in the 
investment banking or securities business of a foreign securities 
affiliate or subsidiary) of a member to obtain and maintain any 
registration permitted by the member.\10\ Individuals maintaining a 
permissive registration under the proposed rules would be considered 
registered persons and subject to all FINRA rules.\11\
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    \10\ FINRA states that it is proposing to permit the 
registration of such individuals for several reasons. First, a 
member may foresee a need to move a former representative or 
principal who has not been registered for two or more years back 
into a position that would require such person to be registered. 
Second, FINRA believes the proposal would allow members to develop a 
depth of associated persons with registrations in the event of 
unanticipated personnel changes. Third, FINRA believes that allowing 
registration in additional categories will encourage greater 
regulatory understanding. Fourth, FINRA states the proposed rule 
change would eliminate an inconsistency in the current rules, which 
permit some associated persons of a member to obtain permissive 
registrations but not others who are equally engaged in the member's 
business. See Notice, supra note 4.
    \11\ FINRA states that it is also considering enhancements to 
the CRD system and BrokerCheck to identify whether a registered 
person is maintaining only a permissive registration and to disclose 
the significance of such permissive registration to the general 
public. See id.
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D. Qualification Examinations and Waivers of Examinations

    Proposed Rule 1210.03 provides that, before the registration of a 
person as a representative can become effective under proposed Rule 
1210, the person must pass the Securities Industry Essentials (``SIE'') 
and an appropriate representative qualification examination as 
specified in proposed Rule 1220(b). In addition, before the 
registration of a person as a principal can become effective under 
proposed Rule 1210, the person must pass an appropriate principal 
qualification examination as specified in proposed Rule 1220(a).
    The proposed Rule further provides that, if the job functions of a 
registered representative, other than an individual registered as an 
Order Processing Assistant Representative or a Foreign Associate, 
change so as to require the person to register in another 
representative category, the person shall not be required to pass the 
SIE. Rather, the registered person would need to pass only an 
appropriate representative qualification exam as specified in proposed 
Rule 1220(b).
    Proposed Rule 1210.03 reflects the proposed restructuring of the 
representative-level qualification exam program, whereby 
representative-level registrants would be required to take a general 
knowledge exam (the SIE) and a specialized knowledge exam appropriate 
to their job functions at the firm with which they are associating.\12\ 
FINRA states that it will file the SIE and the specialized knowledge 
exams, including the content outlines for each examination, with the 
Commission separately.\13\ FINRA also states that individuals who are 
registered on the effective date of the proposed rule change will be 
eligible to maintain those registrations without being subject to any 
additional requirements.\14\
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    \12\ Proposed Rule 1220 sets forth each registration category 
and applicable qualification exam. For a more in depth discussion of 
the SIE and the revised representative-level qualification exams, 
see Notice, supra note 4.
    \13\ See id. FINRA states that it is also evaluating the 
structure of the principal-level examinations and may propose to 
streamline this examination structure at a later time. See id.
    \14\ For a more detailed discussion of the effect of the 
proposal on individuals registered before the effective date of the 
proposed rule change, see id.
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    In addition, proposed Rule 1210.03 expands the pool of individuals 
eligible to take the SIE by providing that all persons are eligible to 
take the SIE.\15\

[[Page 32421]]

Passing the SIE alone, however, would not qualify an individual for 
registration with FINRA; the individual would also have to pass an 
applicable representative or principal qualification exam and complete 
the other requirements of the registration process.\16\
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    \15\ FINRA believes that expanding the pool of individuals who 
are eligible to take the SIE would enable prospective securities 
industry professionals to demonstrate to prospective employers a 
basic level of knowledge before submitting a job application and 
would allow for more flexibility and career mobility within the 
securities industry. See id.
    \16\ Proposed Rule 1210.03 also provides that, pursuant to the 
Rule 9600 Series, FINRA may, in exceptional cases and where good 
cause is shown, waive the applicable qualification exam(s) and 
accept other standards as evidence of an applicant's qualifications 
for registration, subject to certain conditions.
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E. Requirements for Registered Persons Functioning as Principals for a 
Limited Period

    Proposed Rule 1210.04 provides that a member may designate any 
person currently registered, or who becomes registered, with the member 
as a representative to function as a principal for a period of 120 
calendar days before passing an appropriate principal qualification 
exam, provided that such person has at least 18 months of experience 
functioning as a registered representative within the five-year period 
immediately preceding the designation and has fulfilled all applicable 
prerequisite registration and exam requirements, as well as paid 
applicable fees, before designation as a principal. However, in no 
event may such person function as a principal beyond the initial 120 
calendar day period without having successfully passed an appropriate 
principal qualification exam. The requirements above apply to 
designations to any principal category, including those categories that 
are not subject to a prerequisite representative registration 
requirement. Further, a person registered as an Order Processing 
Assistant Representative or a Foreign Associate shall not be eligible 
to be designated as a principal under the rule.
    In addition, proposed Rule 1210.04 provides that a member may 
designate any person currently registered, or who becomes registered, 
with the member as a principal to function in another principal 
category for a period of 120 calendar days before passing an 
appropriate principal qualification exam. However, in no event may such 
person function in such other principal category beyond the initial 120 
calendar day period without having successfully passed an appropriate 
qualification exam.

F. Rules of Conduct for Taking Exams and Confidentiality of Exams

    Proposed Rule 1210.05 provides that associated persons taking the 
SIE shall be subject to the SIE Rules of Conduct and associated persons 
taking any representative or principal exam shall be subject to the 
Rules of Conduct for representative and principal examinations. A 
violation of the SIE Rules of Conduct or the Rules of Conduct for 
representative and principal examinations by an associated person shall 
be deemed to be a violation of proposed Rule 2010. If FINRA determines 
that an associated person has violated the SIE Rules of Conduct or the 
Rules of Conduct for representative and principal examinations, the 
associated person may forfeit the results of the exam and may be 
subject to disciplinary action by FINRA.
    In addition, the proposed Rule provides that individuals taking the 
SIE who are not associated persons shall agree to be subject to the SIE 
Rules of Conduct. If FINRA determines that such individuals cheated on 
the SIE or that they misrepresented their qualifications to the public 
subsequent to passing the SIE, they may forfeit the results of the 
examination and may be prohibited from retaking the SIE.
    Further, proposed Rule 1210.05 provides that (i) FINRA considers 
all of its qualification examinations content to be highly 
confidential; (ii) the removal of exam content from an exam center, 
reproduction, disclosure, receipt from or passing to any person, or use 
for study purposes of any portion of such qualification exam, or any 
other use that would compromise the effectiveness of the exams and the 
use in any manner and at any time of the questions or answers to the 
exams is prohibited and deemed to be a violation of proposed Rule 2010; 
and (iii) an applicant cannot receive assistance while taking the exam 
and shall certify that no assistance was given to or received by the 
applicant during the exam.

G. Waiting Periods for Retaking a Failed Examination

    Proposed Rule 1210.06 provides that any person who fails to pass a 
qualification exam prescribed by FINRA shall be permitted to take that 
exam again after a period of 30 calendar days has elapsed from the date 
of the person's last attempt to pass that exam, except that any person 
who fails to pass an exam three or more times in succession within a 
two-year period shall be prohibited from again taking that exam until 
180 calendar days has elapsed from the date of the person's last 
attempt to pass that exam. The proposed Rule provides that the waiting 
periods for retaking a failed exam apply to the SIE and the 
representative and principal exams, and that individuals taking the SIE 
who are not associated persons must agree to be subject to the same 
waiting periods for retaking the SIE.

H. Continuing Education Requirements

    Proposed Rule 1210.07 provides that all registered persons, 
including those individuals who solely maintain permissive 
registrations pursuant to proposed Rule 1210.02, shall satisfy the 
Regulatory Element of CE \17\ as specified in proposed Rule 1240(a).
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    \17\ Pursuant to Rule 1250, the CE requirements applicable to 
registered persons consist of a Regulatory Element and a Firm 
Element. As discussed below, as part of this proposal, FINRA is 
proposing to renumber Rule 1250 as Rule 1240.
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    In addition, the proposed Rule provides that if a person registered 
with a member has a CE deficiency with respect to that registration as 
provided under proposed Rule 1240(a), such person shall not be 
permitted to be registered in another registration category under 
proposed Rule 1220 with that member or to be registered in any 
registration category under proposed Rule 1220 with another member, 
until the person has satisfied the deficiency.
    FINRA is proposing to adopt Rule 1210.07 to codify current practice 
and to clarify that all registered persons, including those who solely 
maintain a permissive registration, are required to satisfy the 
Regulatory Element of CE, as specified in proposed Rule 1240.\18\ FINRA 
is also proposing to make corresponding changes to proposed Rule 1240. 
FINRA states that individuals who have passed the SIE but not a 
representative- or principal-level exam and do not hold a registered 
position would not be subject to any CE requirements.
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    \18\ FINRA states that it believes all registered persons, 
regardless of their activities, should be subject to the Regulatory 
Element of the CE requirements so that they can keep their knowledge 
of the securities industry current. See Notice, supra note 4.
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I. Lapse of Registration and Expiration of SIE

    As is currently the case, proposed Rule 1210.08 provides that the 
representative- and principal-level registrations would be subject to a 
two-year expiration period. It also establishes a four-year expiration 
period for the SIE.
    Proposed Rule 1210.08 also provides that any person whose 
registration has been revoked pursuant to Rule 8310 shall be required 
to pass a principal or

[[Page 32422]]

representative qualification examination appropriate to his category of 
registration as specified in proposed Rule 1220(a) or Rule 1220(b), 
respectively, to be eligible for registration with FINRA.

J. Waiver of Examinations for Individuals Working for a Financial 
Services Industry Affiliate of a Member

    Proposed Rule 1210.09 provides that, upon request by a member, 
FINRA shall waive the applicable qualification exam(s) for an 
individual designated with FINRA as working for a financial services 
industry affiliate of a member if the following conditions are met: (i) 
Before the individual's initial designation, the individual was 
registered as a representative or principal with FINRA for a total of 
five years within the most recent 10-year period, including for the 
most recent year with the member that initially designated the 
individual; (ii) the waiver request is made within seven years of the 
individual's initial designation; (iii) the initial designation and any 
subsequent designation(s) were made concurrently with the filing of the 
individual's related Form U5; (iv) the individual continuously worked 
for the financial services industry affiliate(s) of a member since the 
individual's last Form U5 filing; (v) the individual has complied with 
the Regulatory Element of CE as specified in proposed Rule 1240(a); and 
(vi) the individual does not have any pending or adverse regulatory 
matters, or terminations, that are reportable on the Form U4, and has 
not otherwise been subject to a statutory disqualification as defined 
in Section 3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act while the individual was 
designated as eligible for a waiver. As used in proposed Rule 1210.09, 
a ``financial services industry affiliate of a member'' is a legal 
entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with 
a member and is regulated by the Commission, Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission, state securities authorities, federal or state banking 
authorities, state insurance authorities, or substantially equivalent 
foreign regulatory authorities.
    FINRA states that the proposed Rule will provide a process whereby 
individuals who would be working for a financial services industry 
affiliate of a member would terminate their registrations with the 
member and would be granted a waiver of their requalification 
requirements upon re-registering with a member, provided the firm that 
is requesting the waiver and the individual satisfy the criteria for 
the waiver as set forth in the rule.\19\
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    \19\ FINRA states that the purpose of this waiver is to provide 
a firm greater flexibility to move personnel, including senior and 
middle management, between the firm and its financial services 
affiliate(s) so that they can gain organizational skills and better 
knowledge of products developed by the affiliate(s) without the 
individuals having to requalify by exam each time they return to the 
firm. See id.
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    Under the proposed waiver process, the first time a registered 
person is designated as eligible for a waiver based on the criteria set 
forth in the rule, the member with which the individual is registered 
would notify FINRA of the designation and concurrently file a full Form 
U5 terminating the individual's registration. Following the Form U5 
filing, an individual could move between the financial services 
affiliates of a member so long as the individual is continuously 
working for an affiliate. An individual designated as eligible for the 
waiver would be subject to the Regulatory Element of CE while working 
for a financial services industry affiliate of a member.
    Upon registering an eligible person pursuant to the waiver process 
set forth in the rule, a firm would file a Form U4 requesting the 
appropriate registration(s) for the individual and submit an exam 
waiver request to FINRA,\20\ which would include a representation that 
the individual is eligible for a waiver based on the conditions set 
forth in the rule. FINRA would review the waiver request and make a 
determination of whether to grant the request within 30 calendar days 
of receiving the request.\21\ A member other than the member that 
initially designated an individual as an eligible person may request a 
waiver for the individual, more than one member may request a waiver 
for an individual during the seven-year period, and a member may submit 
multiple waiver requests for the same individual during the course of 
the seven-year period.\22\
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    \20\ FINRA states that it would consider a waiver of the 
representative-level qualification examination(s), the principal-
level qualification examination(s) and the SIE, as applicable. See 
id.
    \21\ See id.
    \22\ FINRA provides examples in the Notice to illustrate how the 
waiver provision would work. See id.
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K. Status of Persons Serving in the Armed Forces of the United States

    Proposed Rule 1210.10 addresses the status of current and former 
registered persons serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the 
United States (``U.S. Armed Forces''). Among other things, the rule 
permits a registered person of a member who volunteers for or is called 
to active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces to be registered in an inactive 
status and remain eligible to receive ongoing transaction-related 
compensation. In addition, the proposed rule provides that FINRA will 
defer the lapse of registration requirements and the SIE for a person 
who was formerly registered with a member that volunteers for or is 
called to active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time within two 
years after the date the person ceased to be registered with a member 
or for a person that is placed on inactive status while serving in the 
U.S. Armed Forces who ceases to be registered with a member.

L. Impermissible Registrations

    Proposed Rule 1210.11 provides that members shall not register or 
maintain the registration of any person unless consistent with the 
requirements of proposed Rule 1210. FINRA states that proposed Rule 
1210.11 replaces certain provisions of current NASD Rules 1021(a) and 
1031(a) that prohibited a member from maintaining certain registrations 
and that would conflict with the permissive registration regime under 
proposed Rule 1210.02.\23\
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    \23\ See id.
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M. Registration Categories

    FINRA is proposing to integrate the various registration categories 
and related definitions contained in the NASD rules into a single rule, 
proposed Rule 1220,\24\ subject to the changes described below.
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    \24\ FINRA is proposing to renumber Rule 1230 as Rule 1220.
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1. Definition of Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(1) defines a ``principal'' as any person 
associated with a member, including, but not limited to, sole 
proprietor, officer, partner, manager of office of supervisory 
jurisdiction, director or other person occupying a similar status or 
performing similar functions, who is actively engaged in the management 
of the member's investment banking or securities business,\25\ such as 
supervision, solicitation, conduct of business in securities or the 
training of persons associated with a member for any of these 
functions. Such persons shall include, among other persons, a

[[Page 32423]]

member's chief executive officer and chief financial officer (or 
equivalent officers). A ``principal'' also includes any other person 
associated with a member who is performing functions or carrying out 
responsibilities that are required to be performed or carried out by a 
principal under the FINRA rules.
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    \25\ Proposed Rule 1220(a)(1) provides that the term ``actively 
engaged in the management of the member's investment banking or 
securities business'' includes the management of, and the 
implementation of corporate policies related to, such business. The 
term also includes managerial decision-making authority with respect 
to the member's investment banking or securities business and 
management-level responsibilities for supervising any aspect of such 
business, such as serving as a voting member of the member's 
executive, management or operations committees.
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2. General Securities Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(2) provides that each principal (as defined 
in Rule 1220(a)(1)) shall be required to register as a General 
Securities Principal, subject to the following exceptions:
     If a principal's activities include the functions of a 
Compliance Officer, a Financial and Operations Principal (or an 
Introducing Broker-Dealer Financial and Operations Principal, as 
applicable), a Principal Financial Officer, a Principal Operations 
Officer, an Investment Banking Principal, a Research Principal, a 
Securities Trader Principal, or a Registered Options Principal, then 
such person shall appropriately register in one or more of those 
categories;
     if a principal's activities are limited solely to the 
functions of a Government Securities Principal, an Investment Company 
and Variable Contracts Products Principal, a Direct Participation 
Programs Principal, or a Private Securities Offerings Principal, then 
such person may appropriately register in one or more of those 
categories in lieu of registering as a General Securities Principal;
     if a principal's activities are limited solely to the 
functions of a General Securities Sales Supervisor, then such person 
may appropriately register in that category in lieu of registering as a 
General Securities Principal, provided, however, that if such person is 
engaged in options sales activities, such person shall be required to 
register as a Registered Options Principal or as a General Securities 
Sales Supervisor; and
     if a principal's activities are limited solely to the 
functions of a Supervisory Analyst, then such person may appropriately 
register in that category in lieu of registering as a General 
Securities Principal, provided, however, that if such person is 
responsible for approving the content of a member's research report on 
equity securities, such person shall be required to register as a 
Research Principal or as a Supervisory Analyst.
    The proposed rule provides that all individuals registering as 
General Securities Principals after the effective date of the proposed 
rule change shall, before or concurrent with such registration, become 
registered as a General Securities Representative and either (i) pass 
the General Securities Principal qualification exam or (ii) register as 
a General Securities Sales Supervisor and pass the General Securities 
Principal Sales Supervisor Module qualification exam.\26\
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    \26\ FINRA is proposing to eliminate the Corporate Securities 
Representative registration category, as further described below.
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3. Compliance Officer
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(3) provides that each person designated as a 
Chief Compliance Officer on Schedule A of Form BD as specified in FINRA 
Rule 3130(a) shall be required to register as a Compliance Officer. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the proposed rule provides that an 
individual designated as a Chief Compliance Officer on Schedule A of 
Form BD of a member that is engaged in limited investment banking or 
securities business may be registered in a principal category under 
proposed Rule 1220(a) that corresponds to the limited scope of the 
member's business instead of being required to register as a Compliance 
Officer.
    The proposed rule provides that all individuals registering as 
Compliance Officers after the effective date of the proposed rule 
change, shall, before or concurrent with such registration: (i) Become 
registered as a General Securities Representative and pass the General 
Securities Principal qualification exam; or (ii) pass the Compliance 
Official qualification exam.
4. Financial and Operations Principal, Introducing Broker-Dealer 
Financial and Operations Principal, Principal Financial Officer and 
Principal Operations Officer
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(4)(A) provides that each member that is 
operating pursuant to the provisions of Rule 15c3-1(a)(1)(ii), 
(a)(2)(i) or (a)(8) under the Exchange Act shall designate a Financial 
and Operations Principal. In addition, each member subject to the 
requirements of Rule 15c3-1, other than a member operating pursuant to 
Rule 15c3-1(a)(1)(ii), (a)(2)(i) or (a)(8), shall designate either a 
Financial and Operations Principal or an Introducing Broker-Dealer 
Financial and Operations Principal.\27\
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    \27\ The proposed rule sets forth a list of duties that a 
Financial and Operations Principal and an Introducing Broker-Dealer 
Financial and Operations Principal will be responsible for 
performing. See proposed Rule 1220(a)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, proposed Rule 1220(a)(4)(B) provides that each member 
shall designate a: (i) Principal Financial Officer with primary 
responsibility for financial filings and those books and records 
related to such filings; and (ii) Principal Operations Officer with 
primary responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the member's 
business, including overseeing the receipt and delivery of securities 
and funds, safeguarding customer and member assets, calculation and 
collection of margin from customers and processing dividend receivables 
and payables and reorganization redemptions and those books and records 
related to such activities. Each member that self-clears, or that 
clears for other members, shall be required to designate separate 
persons to function as Principal Financial Officer and Principal 
Operations Officer; such persons may also carry out the other 
responsibilities of a Financial and Operations Principal and an 
Introducing Broker-Dealer Financial and Operations Principal.\28\ A 
member that is an introducing member may designate the same person to 
function as Financial and Operations Principal (or Introducing Broker-
Dealer Financial and Operations Principal), Principal Financial Officer 
and Principal Operations Officer. Each person designated as a Principal 
Financial Officer or Principal Operations Officer must register as a 
Financial and Operations Principal or an Introducing Broker-Dealer 
Financial and Operations Principal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ The proposed rule provides that a self-clearing member that 
is limited in size and resources may, pursuant to the Rule 9600 
Series, request a waiver of the requirement to designate separate 
persons to function as Principal Financial Officer and Principal 
Operations Officer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule provides that each person seeking to register as 
a Financial and Operations Principal shall, before or concurrent with 
such registration, pass the Financial and Operations Principal 
qualification exam. Each person seeking to register as an Introducing 
Broker-Dealer Financial and Operations Principal shall, before or 
concurrent with such registration, pass the Financial and Operations 
Principal qualification exam or the Introducing Broker-Dealer Financial 
and Operations Principal qualifications exam.
5. Investment Banking Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(5) requires each principal who is responsible 
for supervising the investment banking activities specified in proposed 
Rule 1220(b)(5) to register as an Investment Banking Principal. The 
proposed rule provides that all individuals registering as Investment 
Banking Principals after the effective date of the proposed rule change 
shall, before or concurrent with such registration, become registered 
as an Investment Banking Representative

[[Page 32424]]

and pass the General Securities Principal qualification exam.
6. Research Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(6) requires each principal who is responsible 
for approving the content of a member's research reports on equity 
securities, or who, with respect to equity research, is responsible for 
supervising the overall conduct of a Research Analyst or a Supervisory 
Analyst to register as a Research Principal, subject to the following 
exceptions:
     If a principal's activities are limited solely to 
approving the content of a member's research reports on equity 
securities, then the person may register as a Supervisory Analyst in 
lieu of registering as a Research Principal;
     if a principal's activities are limited solely to 
reviewing a member's research reports on equity securities only for 
compliance with the disclosure provisions of Rule 2241, then the person 
may register as a General Securities Principal in lieu of registering 
as a Research Principal; and
     if a principal's activities are limited solely to 
approving the content of a member's research reports on debt securities 
or the content of third-party research reports, then the person may 
register as a General Securities Principal or as a Supervisory Analyst 
in lieu of registering as a Research Principal.
    Pursuant to the proposed rule, all individuals registering as 
Research Principals after the effective date of the proposed rule 
change must, before or concurrent with such registration: (i) Become 
registered as a Research Analyst and pass the General Securities 
Principal qualification exam; or (ii) become registered as a 
Supervisory Analyst and pass the General Securities Principal 
qualification exam.
7. Securities Trader Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(7) requires each principal who is responsible 
for supervising the securities trading activities specified in proposed 
Rule 1220(b)(4) to register as a Securities Trader Principal. Further, 
each person seeking to register as a Securities Trader Principal must, 
before or concurrent with such registration, become registered as a 
Securities Trader and pass the General Securities Principal 
qualification exam.
8. Registered Options Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(8) requires each member engaged in 
transactions in options with the public to have at least one Registered 
Options Principal. In addition, the proposed Rule requires each 
principal who is responsible for supervising a member's options sales 
practices with the public, including a person designated pursuant to 
Rule 3110(a)(2), to register as a Registered Options Principal. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a principal's options activities are 
limited solely to those activities that may be supervised by a General 
Securities Sales Supervisor as specified in Rule 2360, then such person 
may register as a General Securities Sales Supervisor in lieu of 
registering as a Registered Options Principal.
    The proposed rule provides that all individuals registering as 
Registered Options Principals after the effective date of the proposed 
rule change shall, before or concurrent with such registration, become 
registered as a General Securities Representative and pass the 
Registered Options Principal qualification exam.
    Proposed Rule 1220.02 provides specific requirements relating to 
persons engaging in security futures activities. Proposed Rule 1220.03 
provides specific requirements relating to members with one Registered 
Options Principal.
9. Government Securities Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(9) requires a principal to register as a 
Government Securities Principal if his activities include certain 
activities relating to the management or supervision of the member's 
government securities business. If a principal's functions include the 
activities specified in the rule, then the individual may register as a 
General Securities Principal in lieu of registering as a Government 
Securities Principal.
    The proposed rule provides that all individuals registering as 
Government Securities Principals after the effective date of the 
proposed rule change shall, before or concurrent with such 
registration, become registered as a General Securities Representative.
10. General Securities Sales Supervisor
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(10) provides that each principal may register 
as a General Securities Sales Supervisor if the Principal's supervisory 
responsibilities in the investment banking or securities business of a 
member are limited to the securities sales activities of the member. 
The proposed rule precludes a person registered solely as a General 
Securities Sales Supervisor from performing the following activities: 
(a) Supervision of the origination and structuring of underwritings; 
(b) supervision of market making commitments; (c) supervision of the 
custody of broker-dealer or customer funds or securities for purposes 
of Rule 15c3-3 under the Exchange Act; or (d) supervision of overall 
compliance with financial responsibility rules for broker-dealers 
promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act.
    The proposed rule provides that each person seeking to register as 
a General Securities Sales Supervisor shall, before or concurrent with 
such registration, become registered as a General Securities 
Representative and pass the General Securities Sales Supervisor 
qualification exams.
    Proposed Rule 1220.04 sets forth additional information relating to 
the General Securities Sales Supervisor registration category.
11. Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal and 
Direct Participation Programs Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(11) provides that a principal may register as 
an Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal if the 
person's activities in the investment banking or securities business of 
a member are limited to the activities specified in proposed Rule 
1220(b)(7). Each person seeking to register as an Investment Company 
and Variable Contracts Products Principal shall, before or concurrent 
with such registration: (i) Become registered as a General Securities 
Representative and pass the Investment Company and Variable Contracts 
Products Principal qualification exam; or (ii) become registered as an 
Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative and 
pass the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal 
qualification exam.
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(12) provides that a principal may register 
with FINRA as a Direct Participation Program Principal if the person's 
activities in the investment banking or securities business of a member 
are limited to the activities specified in proposed Rule 1220(b)(8). 
Each person seeking to register as a Direct Participation Program 
Principal shall, before or concurrent with such registration: (i) 
Become registered as a General Securities Representative and pass the 
Direct Participation Program Principal qualification exam; or (ii) 
become registered as a Direct Participation Programs Representative and 
pass the Direct Participation Program Principal qualification exam.
12. Private Securities Offerings Principal
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(12) provides that a principal may register as 
a Private Securities Offerings Principal if the person's activities in 
the investment

[[Page 32425]]

banking or securities business of a member are limited to the 
activities specified in proposed Rule 1220(b)(9). All individuals 
registering as Private Securities Offerings Principals after the 
effective date of the proposed rule change shall, before or concurrent 
with such registration, become registered as a Private Securities 
Offerings Representative and pass the General Securities Principal 
qualification exam.
    FINRA proposes to create this limited principal registration 
category for principals whose activities are limited solely to the 
supervision of the private securities offerings specified in proposed 
Rule 1220(b)(9) (current NASD Rule 1032(h)) in order to provide firms 
with greater flexibility in designing their supervisory structures.\29\ 
FINRA states that the proposed change is consistent with the limited 
registration categories for Investment Company and Variable Contracts 
Products Principals and Direct Participation Programs Principals.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See Notice, supra note 4.
    \30\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. Supervisory Analyst
    Proposed Rule 1220(a)(14) provides that a principal may register as 
a Supervisory Analyst if the Principal's activities are limited to 
approving the following: (a) The content of a member's research reports 
on equity securities; (b) the content of a member's research reports on 
debt securities; (c) the content of third-party research reports; (d) 
retail communications as described in Rule 2241(a)(11)(A); or (e) other 
research communications that do not meet the definition of ``research 
report'' under Rule 2241, provided that the Supervisory Analyst has 
technical expertise in the particular product area. The activities of a 
Supervisory Analyst engaged in equity research must be supervised by a 
Research Principal. Each person seeking to register as a Supervisory 
Analyst shall, before or concurrent with such registration, pass the 
Supervisory Analyst qualification exam.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ The proposed rule provides that, upon written request 
pursuant to the Rule 9600 Series, FINRA shall grant a waiver from 
the securities analysis portion (Part II) of the Supervisory Analyst 
qualification exam upon verification that the applicant has passed 
Level I of the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. Definition of Representative
    Proposed Rule 1220(b)(1) defines a ``representative'' as any person 
associated with a member, including assistant officers other than 
principals, who is engaged in the member's investment banking or 
securities business, such as supervision, solicitation, conduct of 
business in securities or the training of persons associated with a 
member for any of these functions.
15. General Securities Representative and Foreign Registrations
    Proposed Rule 1220(b)(2) requires a representative (as defined in 
proposed Rule 1220(b)(1)) to register as a General Securities 
Representative, subject to the following exceptions: (a) If a 
representative's activities include the functions of an Operations 
Professional, a Securities Trader, an Investment Banking 
Representative, or a Research Analyst, then the person must register in 
one or more of those categories; and (b) if a representative's 
activities are limited solely to the functions of an Investment Company 
and Variable Contracts Products Representative, a Direct Participation 
Programs Representative, or a Private Securities Offerings 
Representative, then the person may register in one or more of those 
categories in lieu of registering as a General Securities 
Representative.
    Pursuant to proposed Rule 1220(b)(2), all individuals registering 
as General Securities Representatives after the effective date of the 
proposed rule change shall, before or concurrent with such 
registration, pass the SIE and the General Securities Representative 
qualification exam.
    Proposed Rule 1220.01 provides that persons who are in good 
standing as a representative with the Financial Conduct Authority in 
the United Kingdom or with a Canadian stock exchange or securities 
regulator shall be exempt from the requirement to pass the SIE.
    FINRA states that, as part of the proposed restructuring of the 
representative-level exams, it is proposing to eliminate the United 
Kingdom Securities Representative and Canada Securities Representative 
registration categories, and associated Series 17, Series 37, and 
Series 38 exams. As a result, FINRA is proposing to adopt Rule 1220.01 
to provide individuals who are associated persons of firms and hold 
foreign registrations an alternative, more flexible, process to obtain 
a FINRA representative-level registration.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See Notice, supra note 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Operations Professional, Securities Trader, Investment Banking 
Representative, Research Analyst, Investment Company and Variable 
Contracts Products Representative, Direct Participation Programs 
Representative and Private Securities Offerings Representative
    Proposed Rules 1220(b)(3), 1220(b)(4), 1220(b)(5), 1220(b)(6), 
1220(b)(7), 1220(b)(8) and 1220(b)(9) set forth the registration 
requirements for Operations Professionals, Securities Traders, 
Investment Banking Representatives, Research Analysts, Investment 
Company and Variable Contracts Products Representatives, Direct 
Participation Programs Representatives, and Private Securities 
Offerings Representatives, respectively. Proposed Rule 1220.05 sets 
forth additional information relating to the Operations Professional 
registration requirement.
    FINRA states that, consistent with the restructuring of the 
representative-level examinations, proposed Rules 1220(b)(3), (b)(4), 
(b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(7), (b)(8) and (b)(9) will require individuals 
registering in the respective registration categories to pass the SIE 
and the applicable representative-level exam(s).
    With respect to Research Analysts, FINRA is proposing to replace 
the General Securities Representative prerequisite registration 
requirement with the SIE so that individuals registering as Research 
Analysts would be required to pass the SIE and the Research Analyst 
exams. In addition, FINRA states that, consistent with existing 
guidance, it is proposing to clarify that the scope of the Research 
Analyst registration requirement in proposed Rule 1220(b)(6) is limited 
to associated persons who produce equity research reports.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See id. Current NASD Rule 1050 does not apply to persons 
who produce debt research reports. See Research Rules Frequently 
Asked Questions, http://www.finra.org/industry/faq-research-rules-frequently-asked-questions-faq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

17. Eliminated Registration Categories
    FINRA is proposing to eliminate the current registration categories 
of Order Processing Assistant Representative, Options Representative, 
Corporate Securities Representative, Government Securities 
Representative, and Foreign Associate as set forth in NASD Rules 1041, 
1032(d), 1032(e), 1032(g), and 1100.\34\ FINRA believes the utility of 
many of these categories has diminished, as evidenced by the low

[[Page 32426]]

annual volume for the related qualification exams and the relatively 
low number of individuals who currently hold these registrations.\35\ 
In addition, FINRA believes that Foreign Associates should demonstrate 
the same level of competence and knowledge required of their 
counterparts in the United States.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ As discussed above, FINRA is also proposing to eliminate 
the United Kingdom Securities Representative and Canada Securities 
Representative registration categories. See Section II.M.15 supra.
    \35\ See Notice, supra note 4.
    \36\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 1220.06 provides that, subject to the lapse of 
registration provisions in proposed Rule 1210.08, individuals who are 
registered as Order Processing Assistant Representatives, United 
Kingdom Securities Representatives, Canada Securities Representatives, 
Options Representatives, Corporate Securities Representatives, or 
Government Securities Representatives on the effective date of the 
proposed rule change and individuals who had been registered in such 
categories within the past two years before the effective date of the 
proposed rule change would be eligible to maintain their registrations 
with FINRA. However, if individuals registered in these categories 
terminate their registration with FINRA and the registration remains 
terminated for two or more years, they would not be able to re-register 
in that category.
    With respect to Foreign Associates, proposed Rule 1220.06 provides 
that individuals registered as Foreign Associates on the effective date 
of the proposed rule change would also be eligible to maintain their 
registrations with FINRA. However, if Foreign Associates subsequently 
terminate their registrations with FINRA, they would not be able to re-
register as Foreign Associates. FINRA states that, unlike the other 
categories being eliminated, Foreign Associates would not be eligible 
to re-register in the same category within two years of terminating 
their registrations because the two-year lapse of registration 
provision is only applicable to those registration categories that have 
an associated qualification exam.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

N. Associated Persons Exempt From Registration

    Proposed Rule 1230 provides that the following persons associated 
with a member are not required to be registered: (i) Persons associated 
with a member whose functions are solely and exclusively clerical or 
ministerial; and (ii) persons associated with a member whose functions 
are related solely and exclusively to: (a) Effecting transactions on 
the floor of a national securities exchange and who are appropriately 
registered with such exchange; (b) transactions in municipal 
securities; (c) transactions in commodities; or (d) transactions in 
security futures, provided that any such person is registered with a 
registered futures association.
    Proposed Rule 1230.01 provides that: (i) The function of accepting 
customer orders is not considered a clerical or ministerial function; 
(ii) each person associated with a member who accepts customer orders 
under any circumstances shall be registered in an appropriate 
registration category pursuant to proposed Rule 1220; and (iii) an 
associated person shall not be considered to be accepting a customer 
order where occasionally, when an appropriately registered person is 
unavailable, the associated person transcribes order details submitted 
by a customer and the registered person contacts the customer to 
confirm the order details before entering the order.
    FINRA is proposing to rescind the guidance provided in NTM 87-47 
(July 1987),\38\ and is proposing Rule 1230.01 to clarify that 
associated persons who accept customer orders are required to be 
appropriately registered.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ In NTM 87-47, FINRA stated that unregistered administrative 
personnel may occasionally receive an unsolicited customer order at 
a time when appropriately qualified representatives or principals 
are unavailable. See id.
    \39\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

O. Changes to Continuing Education Requirements

    As discussed above, Rule 1250 includes a Regulatory Element and a 
Firm Element of CE.\40\ FINRA is proposing to renumber Rule 1250 as 
Rule 1240 with certain changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See supra note 17.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Regulatory Element
    The Regulatory Element of CE currently applies to registered 
persons and consists of periodic computer-based training on regulatory, 
compliance, ethical, supervisory subjects and sales practice 
standards.\41\ FINRA proposes to replace the term ``registered person'' 
with the term ``covered person'' for purposes of the Regulatory 
Element, and to define the term ``covered person'' as any person, other 
than a Foreign Associate, registered pursuant to proposed Rule 1210, 
including any person who is permissively registered pursuant to 
proposed Rule 1210.02, and any person who is designated as eligible for 
a waiver pursuant to proposed Rule 1210.09. FINRA states that the 
purpose of this change is to ensure that all registered persons, 
including those with permissive registrations, keep their knowledge of 
the securities industry current.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See Notice, supra note 4.
    \42\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Consistent with proposed Rule 1210.09, the term ``covered person'' 
would include any person designated as eligible for waiver pursuant to 
the rule. Proposed Rule 1240(a) provides that the content of the 
Regulatory Element for a person designated as eligible for a waiver 
pursuant to proposed Rule 1210.09 shall be determined based on the 
person's most recent registration status, and the Regulatory Element 
shall be completed based on the same cycle had the person remained 
registered. Proposed Rule 1240(a) further provides that if a person 
designated as eligible for a waiver fails to complete the Regulatory 
Element within the prescribed time frames, the person shall no longer 
be eligible for a waiver.
    FINRA is proposing to codify existing guidance regarding the effect 
of failing to complete the Regulatory Element on a registered person's 
activities and compensation.\43\ Specifically, proposed Rule 1240(a)(2) 
provides that any person whose registration has been deemed inactive 
under the rule may not accept or solicit business or receive any 
compensation for the purchase or sale of securities. However, such 
person may receive trail or residual commissions resulting from 
transactions completed before the inactive status, unless the member 
with which the person is associated has a policy prohibiting such trail 
or residual commissions.\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See id.
    \44\ FINRA is also proposing to remove language under Rule 
1250(a)(1) stating that FINRA shall determine the content of the 
Regulatory Element. FINRA states that this language is superfluous. 
See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Firm Element
    The Firm Element consists of at least annual, member-developed and 
administered training programs designed to keep covered registered 
persons current regarding securities products, services, and strategies 
offered by the member.\45\ FINRA proposes to amend the Firm Element 
requirements in proposed Rule 1204(b)(2)(B) to require that programs 
used to implement a member's training plan include training in ethics 
and professional responsibility. FINRA states that it believes training 
in ethics and professional responsibility should apply to all covered 
persons.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ See id.
    \46\ Rule 1250(b)(2)(B) provides that with respect to Research 
Analysts and their immediate supervisors, the minimum standards for 
the Firm Element training programs must cover training in ethics, 
professional responsibility, and the requirements of Rule 2241. 
FINRA proposes to delete this language.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 32427]]

III. Summary of Comment Letters and FINRA Response Letter

    The Commission received eighteen comment letters on the 
proposal.\47\ Sixteen commenters support the proposed rule change, and 
some of these commenters suggest certain areas of the proposal that 
could be clarified or revised, as further described below.\48\ Two 
commenters support certain aspects of the proposal and do not support 
other aspects of the proposal.\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See supra note 5.
    \48\ See CFA Letter, CFA Boston Letter, CFA Los Angeles Letter, 
CFA DC Letter, CFA San Francisco Letter, CFA Chicago Letter, CFA New 
York Letter, CFA Atlanta Letter, CFA Texas Letter, SIFMA Letter, FSI 
Letter, Fidelity Letter, Wells Fargo Letter, Nationwide Letter, ARM 
Letter, CAI Letter, and Morgan Stanley Letter.
    \49\ See NASAA Letter and CAI Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Opposition to Permissive Registration Proposal

    One commenter generally supports the proposed restructuring of the 
representative-level qualification exams, but does not support the 
proposed permissive registration regime set forth in the proposal.\50\ 
This commenter argues that eliminating any prohibition on the parking 
of registrations could allow unqualified individuals to maintain FINRA 
registrations and ``runs contrary to the provisions of the Exchange Act 
requiring FINRA to prescribe standards of training, experience, and 
competence for individuals engaged in the investment banking or 
securities business.'' \51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See NASAA Letter.
    \51\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response, FINRA states that its current rule allows firms to 
permissively register associated persons who perform legal, compliance, 
internal audit, and back-office operations or who have similar 
responsibilities; that the proposed rule would allow firms to register 
other associated persons, such as those working in accounting or 
technology, regardless of their job function; and that FINRA does not 
believe that there is any meaningful distinction between the current 
categories of associated persons and other categories of associated 
persons for purposes of permissive registration.\52\ In addition, FINRA 
notes that ``by allowing firms to maintain a larger roster of 
associated persons who are permissively registered, firms will have 
greater flexibility in managing unanticipated needs for qualified 
personnel.'' \53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \53\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to this commenter's concern that the proposal could 
result in potentially unqualified individuals acting in registered 
capacities, FINRA provides two examples to illustrate that the proposed 
permissive registration regime should not result in unqualified 
individuals acting in registered capacities any more so than does 
allowing individuals who just entered the securities industry and 
passed the requisite examinations to serve in registered 
capacities.\54\ FINRA also points out that the proposal contains a 
number of provisions designed to ensure that individuals with 
permissive registrations are adequately supervised and do not act 
outside the scope of their assigned functions.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ See id.
    \55\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Opposition to Revised Registration Rules and Categories and 
Financial Services Affiliate Waiver Process

    One commenter supports the permissive registration rules and 
opening the SIE up to the public but believes that the new rules and 
categories of registration are not necessarily an improvement over the 
current exam structure and that the time and effort spent by FINRA and 
firms to comply with the new rules can be better spent on other 
projects.\56\ In response, FINRA states that it believes the proposed 
restructuring will result in a more effective and efficient examination 
program and reduce duplication.\57\ FINRA also states that, to 
facilitate the implementation and management of the new examination 
structure with minimum disruption, FINRA is enhancing the CRD system 
and developing a management system to track SIE enrollments and 
results.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ See CAI Letter.
    \57\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \58\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This commenter also stated that FINRA should delay restructuring of 
representative-level exams until it determines whether a similar 
restructuring is feasible for principal-level exams.\59\ In response, 
FINRA states that the value of the proposed changes warrants moving 
forward with the proposal now, and notes the extensive commentary 
previously sought and received on the registration rules.\60\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ See CAI Letter.
    \60\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, this commenter believes that the financial services 
affiliate waiver process set forth in proposed Rule 1210.09 is overly 
complex and difficult to understand and it is hard to determine what 
its effect will be.\61\ In response, FINRA states that the financial 
services affiliate waiver program is much less burdensome than the 
original proposal set forth in Regulatory Notice 09-70 and that the 
conditions of the waiver are not difficult to satisfy, especially when 
compared to the original proposal.\62\ FINRA notes that it provided 
several examples in the proposed rule change to illustrate the 
application of the waiver program and it will work with the industry to 
provide guidance, if necessary.\63\ Finally, FINRA notes that the 
current waiver process would still be available to individuals who do 
not qualify for the waiver program set forth in proposed Rule 
1210.09.\64\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ See CAI Letter.
    \62\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \63\ See id.
    \64\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, this commenter notes that FINRA has not provided a cost 
estimate for the SIE and states that it cannot provide thoughtful 
comment without such an estimate.\65\ In response, FINRA states that it 
provided a detailed economic impact assessment in the filing, including 
with respect to the introduction of the SIE and the restructuring of 
the representative-level examinations.\66\ Further, FINRA states that 
it will file a separate proposed rule change to establish the fees for 
the SIE and the specialized knowledge examinations, which will include 
a pricing analysis.\67\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ See CAI Letter.
    \66\ See FINRA Response Letter. See also Notice, supra note 4.
    \67\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Suggested Amendments and Clarifications

1. Supervisory Obligations Relating to Permissive Registrations
    Two commenters believe that the proposed supervisory requirements 
relating to permissive registrants are overly burdensome and should be 
amended to allow a permissively registered principal to be supervised 
by a registered representative or a registered principal.\68\ In 
response, FINRA states that, under the proposal, the direct supervisor 
of an individual who solely maintains a permissive registration is not 
required to be a registered person, and a registered supervisor is only 
required to periodically contact the direct supervisor of such an 
individual to verify that the individual is not acting outside the 
scope of the individual's assigned functions.\69\ In addition, FINRA 
states that it believes the

[[Page 32428]]

designated supervisor of an individual who solely maintains a 
permissive registration as a principal should be a registered 
principal, as a registered principal is in the best position to assess 
whether a permissively-registered principal is performing activities 
normally performed by principals.\70\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ See ARM Letter and Fidelity Letter.
    \69\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \70\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter recommends that more specific guidance be provided 
with respect to supervisory obligations of permissively registered 
individuals and believes that proposed Rule 1210.02, which states that 
all permissively registered individuals are subject to all FINRA rules, 
to the extent relevant to their activities, is both under- and over-
inclusive.\71\ In response, FINRA states that it ``does not believe 
that it is necessary to adopt a prescriptive provision identifying each 
rule that may potentially apply to a permissively-registered 
individual'' and that ``the proposed rule provides firms the 
flexibility to evaluate the activities of their personnel and tailor 
their supervisory systems accordingly, in light of the requirements of 
the particular rule.'' \72\ In addition, FINRA notes that ``to the 
extent that interpretive questions arise regarding the application of a 
particular FINRA rule, FINRA will work with the industry to address 
such interpretive questions and provide additional guidance as 
needed.'' \73\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ See CAI Letter.
    \72\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \73\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Requirements for Registered Persons Functioning as Principals for a 
Limited Period
    Four commenters suggest that FINRA remove or shorten the 
requirement that registered representatives designated to function as 
principals for a limited period before passing a principal 
qualification exam have 18 months of registered representative 
experience within the previous five year period.\74\ In response, FINRA 
states that when a firm designates a registered representative to 
function as a principal without having passed the principal-level 
examinations, the registered representative must have a consistent 
amount of securities industry experience.\75\ FINRA also notes that the 
proposed rule provides firms the flexibility to designate a principal 
to function in another principal category for 120 calendar days before 
passing the applicable exams. The Principal would not be subject to the 
proposed experience requirement.\76\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ See SIFMA Letter, Wells Fargo Letter, Fidelity Letter, and 
ARM Letter.
    \75\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \76\ See id. FINRA also notes that the proposed experience 
requirement does not operate as a ``safe harbor'' with respect to a 
firm's designation of supervisory personnel. See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Time Period for Retaking Failed Exams
    One commenter requests that FINRA eliminate the proposed 180-day 
waiting period for taking an exam imposed on individuals who fail an 
exam three or more times in succession within a two-year period, and 
suggests various alternatives.\77\ In response, FINRA states that the 
proposed waiting periods for retaking a failed exam are specifically 
designed for test security purposes and to ensure an exam's 
effectiveness as a measure of ability.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ See Nationwide Letter.
    \78\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Lapse of Registration and SIE Expiration Periods
    A number of commenters suggest that FINRA amend the proposal to 
align the expiration periods for the SIE, representative-level 
registrations, and principal-level registrations to make them all be 
four years.\79\ One commenter requests that FINRA eliminate or extend 
the SIE expiration period.\80\ Two commenters believe that the SIE 
should never expire so long as individuals complete their required 
Regulatory Element of CE.\81\ One of these commenters argues that there 
should not be an expiration period for the specialized exams either so 
long as individuals complete their required Regulatory Element of 
CE.\82\
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    \79\ See SIFMA Letter, FSI Letter, and Fidelity Letter.
    \80\ See CAI Letter.
    \81\ See Nationwide Letter and ARM Letter.
    \82\ See ARM Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response, FINRA states that it continues to believe that the SIE 
should be subject to a four-year expiration period given that, among 
other things, some of the individuals who pass the SIE may not have any 
exposure to the investment banking or securities business until they 
associate with a member, individuals who only pass the SIE would not be 
required to satisfy CE requirements, and the knowledge tested on the 
SIE is not static.\83\ However, FINRA states that it will consult with 
the Securities Industry/Regulatory Council on Continuing Education 
(``CE Council'') to ``evaluate the feasibility of developing a CE 
program, which would include general knowledge content, for individuals 
who have only passed the SIE.'' \84\ In addition, FINRA notes that it 
is currently consulting with the CE Council to explore the possibility 
of requiring registered persons to participate more frequently in CE as 
a precondition to extending this time period.\85\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \84\ Id.
    \85\ See id.
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5. Waiver of Exams for Individuals Working for a Financial Services 
Industry Affiliate of a Member
    A number of commenters suggest that FINRA clarify and/or amend 
certain aspects of the financial services affiliate waiver set forth in 
proposed Rule 1210.09. Three commenters argue that the requirement that 
an individual be registered during five of the previous ten years is 
overly burdensome and should be revised.\86\ Three commenters request 
that FINRA eliminate the seven-year time limit following designation as 
eligible for a financial services affiliate waiver.\87\ In response, 
FINRA states that it narrowly tailored the proposed waiver program; the 
proposed time limits are specifically designed to allow more seasoned 
personnel that have been transferred by a firm to an affiliate for a 
limited period to return to the securities industry without having to 
requalify by exam.\88\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \86\ See Wells Fargo Letter, Fidelity Letter, and CAI Letter.
    \87\ See Nationwide Letter, ARM Letter, and CAI Letter.
    \88\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter requests that FINRA provide a waiver ``claw back'' 
period to allow individuals who were terminated from a firm within two 
years of the proposal's approval date, and who meet the eligibility 
requirements, to be eligible for a waiver.\89\ FINRA responds that 
applying the proposed waiver program on a retroactive basis would add 
unnecessary complexity and that the existing waiver process would be 
available to such persons.\90\
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    \89\ See Fidelity Letter.
    \90\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter suggests that individuals designated as eligible for 
the financial services affiliate waiver be placed on inactive status 
rather than have their registrations terminated, so that they could be 
tracked through CRD and FINRA could provide information to the public 
through BrokerCheck.\91\ FINRA responds that this commenter's 
suggestion mirrors its original proposal \92\ which commenters objected 
to because of the complexity and operational and cost burden. In 
response, FINRA developed the current proposal.\93\
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    \91\ See Nationwide Letter.
    \92\ See Regulatory Notice 09-70.
    \93\ See FINRA Response Letter.

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[[Page 32429]]

    One commenter asked whether individuals designated under the waiver 
provision would be subject to FINRA's regulatory requirements and 
further stated that the proposed rule should require such individuals 
to attend annual compliance meetings and complete the Firm Element of 
CE.\94\ FINRA responds that individuals subject to the designation 
would not be subject to FINRA's jurisdiction based on their activities 
working for a member's financial services industry affiliate but would 
be required to, among other things, complete the Regulatory Element of 
CE if they wish to obtain a waiver upon their return to the securities 
industry.\95\ FINRA notes that it does not believe that it is necessary 
to require these individuals to attend annual compliance meetings and 
complete the Firm Element of CE, which are requirements applicable to 
registered persons with day-to-day responsibilities at a member.\96\
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    \94\ See Nationwide Letter.
    \95\ See FINRA Response Letter. FINRA notes, however, that it 
retains jurisdiction for up to two years over a person who ceases to 
be associated or registered with a member. See id.
    \96\ See id.
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    One commenter requests that FINRA clarify the process for 
designating an individual for the waiver, and argues that the 
designation process could be simplified by relying on the CRD system to 
accept and maintain the designation.\97\ One commenter notes that firms 
must develop a process for tracking and monitoring designated 
individuals, which will be a burden.\98\ In response, FINRA states that 
it is considering using the CRD system to allow a member to designate 
an individual for the waiver.\99\ However, FINRA notes that it would 
not track a designated individual's time at a financial services 
industry affiliate of a member and, upon registering the individual 
with FINRA, the firm with which the individual is associating at that 
time would be required to represent, among other things, that the 
individual continuously worked for the financial services industry 
affiliate(s) of a member since the last Form U5 filing.\100\ FINRA 
notes that it may independently verify this information and it will be 
able to track whether an individual completed the Regulatory Element of 
CE while working for a financial services industry affiliate of a 
member.\101\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \97\ See CAI Letter.
    \98\ See Nationwide Letter.
    \99\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \100\ See id.
    \101\ See id. and Section 15A(b)(2) of the Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter states that individuals should not be disqualified 
from the waiver due to ``pending or adverse regulatory matters,'' but 
only as a result of ``regulatory findings.'' \102\ FINRA responds that 
pending regulatory matters have a bearing on whether an individual has 
remained in good standing while working for a financial services 
industry affiliate of a member.\103\
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    \102\ See ARM Letter
    \103\ See FINRA Response Letter.
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    Two commenters suggest that FINRA change the financial services 
affiliate waiver acronym from ``FSA'' to something else in order to 
avoid confusion.\104\ In response, FINRA notes that the acronym is not 
used in proposed Rule 1210.09 and, to avoid confusion, FINRA will use a 
different acronym in the future.\105\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \104\ See SIFMA Letter and ARM Letter.
    \105\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Three commenters suggest that, following the effectiveness of the 
proposal, FINRA monitor the waiver program and maintain a dialog with 
members to make sure it is operating as intended.\106\ One commenter 
notes that members will need training, additional information, and 
detailed waiver guidelines to better understand the designation and 
waiver process.\107\ In response, FINRA states that it is committed to 
engaging in an ongoing dialogue with industry participants to ensure 
that the waiver program is effective and efficient and, as needed, will 
provide guidance to firms.\108\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \106\ See SIFMA Letter, Wells Fargo Letter, and ARM Letter.
    \107\ See ARM Letter.
    \108\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Principal Financial Officer and Principal Operations Officer
    Two commenters request that FINRA clarify the registration 
requirements for Principal Financial Officers and Principal Operations 
Officers, including whether such designated individuals will continue 
to be exempt from the Operations Professional (Series 99) qualification 
exam.\109\ In response, FINRA states that Principal Financial Officers 
and Principal Operations Officers must be registered in the CRD system 
as Operations Professionals but would not be required to pass the 
Series 99 exam in order to register as such if they already hold a 
qualifying registration.\110\ In addition, FINRA states that because 
Principal Financial Officers and Principal Operations Officers would 
already be registered as Financial and Operations Principals or 
Introducing Broker-Dealer Financial and Operations Principals, they 
would be eligible to register as Operations Professionals.\111\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \109\ See SIFMA Letter and Wells Fargo Letter.
    \110\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \111\ See id.
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7. Implementation Date
    Six commenters state that the proposed implementation date set 
forth in the Notice of March 2018 is not appropriate and suggest FINRA 
allow more time for firms to implement the proposed rule change.\112\ 
In response, FINRA states that it intends to move the implementation 
date to the fourth quarter of 2018; FINRA will announce the 
implementation date of the proposed rules in a Regulatory Notice.\113\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \112\ See SIFMA Letter, FSI Letter, Wells Fargo Letter, Fidelity 
Letter, ARM Letter, and CAI Letter.
    \113\ See FINRA Response Letter.
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8. Other Comments
    Nine commenters request that FINRA and the Commission recognize the 
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and the CFA charter as an 
alternative means of qualifying individuals for FINRA representative-
level registrations.\114\ In response, FINRA states that it will 
consider undertaking an analysis that would evaluate the proposed CFA 
approach to determine if it is feasible and would be cost effective for 
the industry.\115\
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    \114\ See CFA Letter, CFA Boston Letter, CFA Los Angeles Letter, 
CFA DC Letter, CFA San Francisco Letter, CFA Chicago Letter, CFA New 
York Letter, CFA Atlanta Letter, and CFA Texas Letter.
    \115\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Two commenters state that the broker-dealer registration rules, as 
amended by FINRA's proposal, should be harmonized across 
regulators.\116\ In response, FINRA states that it has discussed 
aspects of the proposal, such as the introduction of the SIE and the 
specialized knowledge examinations, with other self-regulatory 
organizations, including the MSRB, and that it will continue these 
discussions.\117\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \116\ See Fidelity Letter and Morgan Stanley Letter.
    \117\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter requests that FINRA clarify whether it will provide 
actual scores for the SIE to candidates.\118\ In response, FINRA states 
that it is exploring options for providing appropriate performance 
feedback to failing candidates and their firms and that FINRA does not 
see a need, at this time, to provide such feedback for candidates who 
pass.\119\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \118\ See ARM Letter.
    \119\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter notes its concern that bad actors who take the SIE 
may hold themselves out as licensed professionals to defraud investors, 
and encourages

[[Page 32430]]

FINRA to consider implementing further controls as a part of the 
enhancements it is considering to the CRD system and BrokerCheck, to 
ensure those who pass the SIE do not mislead investors.\120\ In 
response, FINRA states that BrokerCheck provides information to the 
public on persons who are, or were, registered to conduct investment 
banking or securities business, and FINRA believes that including 
individuals who only pass the SIE, and thus would not be registered to 
engage in such business, on BrokerCheck may cause confusion.\121\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \120\ See FSI Letter.
    \121\ See FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One commenter makes several additional suggestions relating to 
FINRA's registration rules and processes, including that FINRA: (i) 
Modify the General Securities Principal exam content to eliminate 
product scope limitations; (ii) establish reciprocity with the New York 
Stock Exchange with respect to Chief Compliance Officer exams; (iii) 
keep certain registration categories that are being eliminated as 
qualifying prerequisites for other registration categories; and (iv) 
work with other regulators to minimize multiple registration categories 
related to a single exam in order to simplify Section 4 of the Form 
U4.\122\ In response, FINRA states that it will address the content of 
the Series 24 exam and the status of the Series 14 exam as part of 
evaluating the principal-level examinations, which is ongoing.\123\ In 
addition, FINRA states that, while it is proposing to eliminate the 
United Kingdom Securities Representative and Canada Securities 
Representative registration categories, individuals maintaining these 
registrations would be grandfathered and their registrations would 
continue to be viewed as equivalent to the General Securities 
Representative prerequisite registration.\124\ Finally, FINRA states 
that concerns regarding the complexities of the Form U4 registration 
table are more appropriately addressed through changes to the CRD 
system's Form U4 interface, rather than through the proposed rule 
change.\125\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \122\ See ARM Letter.
    \123\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \124\ See id.
    \125\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Discussion and Commission's Findings

    After careful review of the proposed rule change, the comment 
letters and the FINRA Response Letter, the Commission finds that the 
proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Exchange Act and 
the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national 
securities association.\126\ Specifically, the Commission finds that 
the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 15A(b)(6) of the 
Exchange Act,\127\ which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules 
be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to 
protect investors and the public interest, and Section 15A(g)(3) of the 
Exchange Act,\128\ which authorizes FINRA to prescribe standards of 
training, experience, and competence for persons associated with FINRA 
members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \126\ In approving this rule change, the Commission has 
considered the rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital 
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \127\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
    \128\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(g)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA states that, as part of the process of developing the 
Consolidated FINRA Rulebook, FINRA undertook a review of the NASD 
registration rules and the Incorporated NYSE rules relating to 
registration to update the rules and eliminate duplicative, obsolete, 
or superfluous provisions, and the proposed consolidated registration 
rules are the result of that process.\129\ FINRA states that it 
believes the proposed rule change will streamline, and bring 
consistency and uniformity to, the registration rules, which will, in 
turn, assist members and their associated persons in complying with the 
rules and improve regulatory efficiency.\130\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \129\ See Notice, supra note 4.
    \130\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA states that it also reviewed its representative-level 
examination program and determined to enhance the overall efficiency of 
the program by eliminating redundancy of subject matter content across 
examinations, retiring several outdated representative-level 
registrations, and introducing a general knowledge examination that 
could be taken by all potential representative-level registrants and 
the general public.\131\ FINRA states that the proposed changes will 
improve the efficiency of the examination program, without compromising 
the qualification standards, by eliminating duplicative testing of 
general securities knowledge on exams and by removing exams that 
currently have limited utility.\132\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \131\ See id.
    \132\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission notes that one commenter is concerned that proposed 
Rule 1210.02, which would expand the scope of permissive registrations, 
could, among other things, result in potentially unqualified 
individuals acting in registered capacities.\133\ In response, FINRA 
states that ``allowing firms to permissively register associated 
persons in anticipation of future needs for qualified personnel is 
consistent with FINRA's authority under the Exchange Act'' and that 
``by allowing firms to maintain a larger roster of associated persons 
who are permissively registered, firms will have greater flexibility in 
managing unanticipated needs for qualified personnel.'' \134\ FINRA 
also points out that, pursuant to the proposal, individuals maintaining 
a permissive registration under the proposed rule change would be 
considered registered persons and subject to all FINRA rules, to the 
extent relevant to their activities; that members must have adequate 
supervisory systems and written procedures reasonably designed to 
ensure that individuals with permissive registrations do not act 
outside the scope of their assigned functions; and that the rule 
provides for additional supervisory controls of individuals with 
permissive registrations.\135\ The Commission notes that, pursuant to 
the proposal, individuals with permissive registrations would also be 
subject to the Regulatory Element of the CE requirements.\136\
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    \133\ See NASAA Letter. In addition, this commenter states that 
proposed Rule 1210.02 ``runs contrary to the provisions of the 
Exchange Act requiring FINRA to prescribe standards of training, 
experience, and competence for individuals engaged in the investment 
banking or securities business.'' Id.
    \134\ FINRA Response Letter.
    \135\ See id. See also proposed Rule 1210.02.
    \136\ See proposed Rules 1210.07 and 1240.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, a number of commenters were concerned with various 
aspects of the proposal to provide a waiver process for individuals 
working for a financial services industry affiliate of a member.\137\ 
FINRA states that this proposed waiver process is narrowly 
tailored,\138\ and will require individuals granted a waiver to 
maintain specified levels of competence and knowledge while working in 
areas ancillary to the investment banking and securities business.\139\ 
FINRA points out that,

[[Page 32431]]

among other conditions, the proposed rule requires that: (i) Before an 
individual's initial designation, the individual must have been 
registered for a total of five years within the most recent 10-year 
period, including for the most recent year with the member that 
initially designated the individual; (ii) the waiver request must be 
made within seven years of the individual's initial designation; and 
(ii) the individual cannot have any pending or adverse regulatory 
matters, or terminations, that are reportable on the Form U4 (Uniform 
Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer).\140\ The 
Commission notes that the designated individual must also comply with 
the Regulatory Element of the CE requirements.\141\ The Commission 
further notes that FINRA has committed to ``engaging in an ongoing 
dialogue with industry participants to ensure that the waiver program 
is effective and efficient and, as needed, will provide guidance to 
firms.'' \142\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \137\ See proposed Rule 1210.09 and supra notes 61 and notes 86-
105.
    \138\ See FINRA Response Letter (``FINRA understands that firms 
regularly transfer more seasoned personnel to an affiliate for a 
limited period so that they could gain organizational skills and 
better knowledge of products developed by the affiliate. FINRA 
designed the FSA waiver program to allow such individuals to return 
to the securities industry without them having to requalify by 
examination. Thus, the FSA waiver program is narrowly tailored and 
the proposed conditions serve that purpose.'')
    \139\ See Notice, supra note 4.
    \140\ See FINRA Response Letter.
    \141\ See proposed Rules 1210.09 and 1240.
    \142\ FINRA Response Letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA states that the proposed rule change will make the 
qualification and registration process more effective and efficient, 
without affecting the proficiency required to function as a 
representative or principal or reducing investor protection.\143\ FINRA 
also states that the proposed rule change may enhance the pool of 
prospective securities industry professionals by familiarizing them 
with securities laws, rules, and regulations and appropriate conduct at 
an earlier stage of career development.\144\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \143\ See Notice, supra note 4.
    \144\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange Act authorizes FINRA to prescribe standards of 
training, experience, and competence for persons associated with FINRA 
members.\145\ In accordance with that provision, FINRA has proposed to 
revise its registration requirements, qualification examinations, and 
continuing education requirements which the Commission believes are 
designed to establish that persons associated with FINRA members have 
attained specified levels of competence and knowledge, consistent with 
the applicable registration category. The Commission believes that 
FINRA has adequately addressed all comments that are within the scope 
of the proposed rule change.\146\ For the foregoing reasons, the 
Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \145\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(g)(3).
    \146\ See supra Section III.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered that, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Exchange Act,\147\ the proposed rule change (SR-FINRA-2017-007), be and 
hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \147\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\148\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \148\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-14667 Filed 7-12-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


