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Finance Careers

How to Get Into Finance Without a Degree (or Experience)

✓ Sourced to FINRA Updated June 2026 5 min read
Short answer

You can break into finance without a degree — by starting with a low-barrier credential that proves you're serious. The SIE exam is the most accessible: no degree, no experience, no sponsorship required, just $100, and anyone 18 or older can sit it. Passing it shows employers you understand the industry and can open the door to entry-level roles.

"How do I get into finance without a degree?" is one of the most common questions from career-changers and people who skipped or are still in college. The honest version: it's harder without a degree, but it's far from impossible — what you lack in credentials you make up for by proactively proving you can do the work. The fastest, cheapest proof point is an industry exam, and for finance that starting line is the SIE.

Can you get into finance without a degree?

Yes — but you have to be deliberate about it. Many entry-level finance roles (think client service, operations, support, and some brokerage positions) care more about reliability, communication, and a demonstrated grasp of the basics than about a specific diploma. A degree certainly helps and is required for some tracks, so going without one means you carry the burden of proof. You close that gap by stacking the things you can control: a relevant credential, a clear story about why you want in, and persistence in applying. None of this guarantees a job — but it materially improves how seriously employers take you.

Start with the SIE — no degree or experience needed

Step 1 is the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. It exists precisely for people in your position: FINRA created it so that anyone 18 or older can demonstrate foundational securities knowledge before a firm hires or sponsors them. There's no degree requirement, no experience requirement, and no sponsorship requirement — you register and take it on your own. It costs $100, runs 1 hour 45 minutes, has 75 scored questions (plus 5 unscored), and you need 70% to pass. You can sit it at a Prometric test center or online from home. Passing it puts a recognized line on your résumé that says: this person already understands how the securities industry works.

The SIE is the cheapest door into finance — and you can take it yourself.Try real SIE questions with a clear explanation for every answer. Free to start, no degree required.
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Want the full breakdown first? See what the SIE is and the exact SIE requirements — there genuinely are no hidden prerequisites.

Entry paths into finance without a degree

There's no single route, but a common pattern is to get in the door in a support role, then move up as you add credentials. Typical on-ramps people use include:

  • Client service & call-center roles at brokerages, banks, and fund companies — often open to candidates without a degree, and a natural place to learn the business.
  • Operations & back-office roles (settlements, account maintenance, processing) — detail-oriented work that builds industry knowledge from the inside.
  • Sales and branch-support roles where a license matters more than a diploma.
  • Licensed roles you grow into — once you've shown you can pass exams and do the work, firms are far more open to sponsoring you for further licenses.

The throughline: an entry role gets you industry experience, and a credential like the SIE gets you the entry role. Treat them as a loop, not a one-shot. (Roles, titles, and hiring practices vary by employer and region; this is general guidance, not a guarantee of employment.)

What the SIE opens up

The SIE on its own isn't a license to sell securities — it's the foundation that the "real" licenses are built on. Once you've passed it, the next step in most securities careers is a representative-level qualification, which a hiring firm sponsors you for. The best-known is the Series 7 (the General Securities Representative license), and because it requires you to have passed the SIE first, getting the SIE done now means you're already halfway there the day a firm wants to hire you. Other representative licenses (for example the Series 6, 63, 65, or 66) cover different roles — investment-company products, state registration, advisory work — and a firm will tell you which ones your job needs. The point: the SIE is the one piece you can do before anyone hires you, and it makes every later step easier.

Honest note: a credential opens doors, it doesn't walk you through them. The SIE makes you a more credible applicant and removes a real barrier — but landing a finance role still takes applying widely, networking, and following through. No exam guarantees a job.

Next steps

If breaking into finance is the goal, here's a sensible order:

  • Pass the SIE first — it's the one step that needs no degree, no experience, and no employer. Start practicing today.
  • Understand the license ladder — read how to get a securities license so you know what comes after the SIE.
  • Pick a target role — if you're aiming at brokerage, see how to become a stockbroker and how the SIE compares to the Series 7.
  • Apply while you study — many firms will hire and then sponsor licensing, so a passed (or in-progress) SIE makes your application stand out.

Frequently asked questions

Can you work in finance without a degree?
Yes. Plenty of finance roles don't strictly require a college degree, and some — like many entry-level brokerage, banking, and operations positions — value a relevant license, communication skills, and persistence. A degree can help and is required for some paths, but without one you'll need to prove your ability another way, such as by earning an industry credential.
What's the easiest finance credential to start with?
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam is the most accessible entry point. It requires no degree, no work experience, and no firm sponsorship — anyone 18 or older can register and take it. It costs $100, runs 1 hour 45 minutes, and you need 70% to pass. It signals to employers that you understand the basics of the securities industry.
Do you need experience for the SIE?
No. The SIE has no experience requirement and no prerequisites. You don't need to be employed by a firm or sponsored to take it — it was designed specifically so newcomers can demonstrate foundational knowledge before they're hired.
How much does the SIE cost?
The SIE costs $100, paid once to FINRA when you register. If you need to retake it, each additional attempt is another $100. The exam fee is separate from any study materials or prep course you choose.
Sources: SIE exam facts (eligibility, $100 fee, format, passing score) per FINRA — SIE Exam; Series 7 sponsorship/prerequisite per FINRA — Series 7. Career, hiring, and role information is general guidance only and is not a guarantee of employment; always confirm current licensing requirements at finra.org. Last reviewed June 2026.
How to get a securities license→ How to become a stockbroker→ SIE exam requirements→ Is the SIE worth it?→

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