State-registered Investment Advisers: Have less than $100,000,000 in assets under management. State investment adviser registrants also include investment advisers offering services that solely include financial planning or soliciting clients on behalf of other advisers.

Who must register in a state as an investment adviser?

All states require that investment advisers (IAs) and investment adviser representatives (IARs) conducting business in the state register with the state’s securities regulatory authority (or qualify for an exemption from registration). Approximately 17,500 investment advisers are so registered.

Do you need a license to be an investment adviser?

Large advisers are registered with the SEC and are primarily subject to federal regulation instead of state regulation. However, SEC-registered investment advisers must comply with state antifraud prohibitions, and states may license and register representatives of SEC-registered investment advisers.

How are investment advisers regulated in the US?

Money managers, investment consultants, and financial planners are regulated in the United States as “investment advisers” under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act” or “Act”) or similar state statutes. This outline describes the regulation of investment advisers by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Can a small investment adviser be registered with the SEC?

In general, small and mid-sized advisers are registered with and primarily regulated by one or more state securities authorities, though certain federal securities provisions still apply to state-registered advisers (such as those prohibiting fraud).

Where do I go to register as an investment adviser?

FINRA manages the Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD): The IARD is the central account where you will funnel subsequent SEC registration materials. Whether you’re applying at the SEC level or merely registering with states, documents and application paperwork are mostly submitted through the IARD platform.