Does selling variable annuities require a securities license in addition to an insurance license?

Yes. Variable annuities are securities products, so you need a state life insurance license plus securities registration through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). New York, for example, requires proof of passing FINRA Series 6, 7, or 63, plus FINRA registration and a CRD number for variable life and variable annuity authority. The Series 6 exam costs $100 and runs 1 hour 30 minutes with 50 questions.

Yes. Variable annuities are securities as well as insurance products, so selling them typically requires securities registration in addition to a Florida life agent license. Florida's 2-15 and 2-14 life licenses include variable annuity authority, and a nonresident may not transact variable annuities in Florida without holding that authority in the home state. Agents who sell variable contracts generally add a securities registration, such as the Series 6 or Series 7 exam.