Changing Jan 19, 2027
FINRA retake rules: SIE and Series 7 wait times
Short answer
Today you wait 30 calendar days after a 1st or 2nd failed attempt and 180 days after a 3rd or later failed attempt within 2 years. From January 19, 2027, FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18 cuts those waits to 15 and 60 days. The rule covers every FINRA qualification exam, including the SIE and Series 7.
Both schedules
| Wait | Now (through Jan 18, 2027) | From Jan 19, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| After a 1st failed attempt | 30 days | 15 days |
| After a 2nd failed attempt | 30 days | 15 days |
| After a 3rd or later failed attempt within 2 years | 180 days | 60 days |
Waits are calendar days. Failures older than 2 years don't count. Source: FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18 (checked Oct 14, 2026).
When can I retake?
For the SIE and Series 7. Nothing you type leaves this page.
Pick a date to see your earliest retake.
What the notice says
- The waits are calendar days after a failed attempt. A 3rd or later failure within 2 years triggers the longer wait.
- The shorter waits start January 19, 2027. They cover FINRA qualification exams, including the SIE and Series 7.
- If your old wait runs past the change date, FINRA says it will adjust the window on that date. If you already have an appointment, FINRA will contact you. Confirm your date in FINRA's system before you book.
Source: FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18. Last checked Oct 14, 2026.
Use the wait well
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Retake questions
How long is the SIE and Series 7 retake wait right now?
30 days after a 1st failed attempt, 30 days after a 2nd, and 180 days after a 3rd or later failed attempt within 2 years. These waits apply through Jan 18, 2027.
What changes on January 19, 2027?
Under FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18, the waits drop to 15 days after a 1st failed attempt, 15 days after a 2nd, and 60 days after a 3rd or later failed attempt within 2 years.
I failed before Jan 19, 2027. Which wait applies to me?
If your old wait ends before January 19, 2027, the old wait applies. If it runs past that date, FINRA says it will adjust the testing window of a pending retake on January 19, 2027, and it will contact candidates who already have an appointment. Confirm your exact date in FINRA's system.
Does the rule cover the SIE as well as the Series 7?
Yes. The waiting periods apply to FINRA qualification exams, including the SIE and Series 7.
Do old failures count?
Only failures within the last 2 years count toward the longer wait. Older attempts drop off.