WiserAdvisor – Blog

Main Menu

  • Main
  • Financial Advisor Guide
  • Financial Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Education Planning
  • Investment Management
  • More
    • Personal Finance
    • Estate Planning
logo
I Want to Take Charge.
HELP ME FIND AND COMPARE TOP VETTED FINANCIAL ADVISORS IN MY AREA.

FINRA/SEC Registered Advisors

  Your Information is Safe and Secure

WiserAdvisor – Blog

  • Main
  • Financial Advisor Guide
  • Financial Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Education Planning
  • Investment Management
  • More
    • Personal Finance
    • Estate Planning
Financial Advisor Guide
Home › Financial Advisor Guide › How To Use BrokerCheck To Evaluate A Financial Advisor’s Credentials

How To Use BrokerCheck To Evaluate A Financial Advisor’s Credentials

By WiserAdvisor Insights
March 16, 2023
2691
0
4 Min Read | Updated date:
June 2, 2023

Table of Contents

  • What is BrokerCheck?
  • What Information Does FINRA BrokerCheck Provide?
    • BrokerCheck provides the following:
    • Use the step-by-step guide below to begin using BrokerCheck to evaluate financial professionals:
  • Steps-by-Step Guide To Using BrokerCheck
    • 1. Go to the FINRA BrokerCheck Website:
    • 2. Input the Broker’s Information
    • 3. Review The Report
    • 4. View Report Summary
    • 5. Download or Share Report

What is BrokerCheck?

BrokerCheck is a tool any investor can use to research a financial professional or firm. This tool enables individuals to complete a thorough background check on financial professionals like brokers, brokerage firms, financial advisors, investment advisors, advising firms, etc. The detailed information provided through the BrokerCheck tool includes their employment history, certifications, licenses, and active or past violations within the last ten years so that you can make an informed decision while hiring an advisor.

You can use the Brokercheck tool on the FINRA website. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is a private corporation that regulates firms within its system and website. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website is also beneficial in gathering details on investment advisors and firms.

What Information Does FINRA BrokerCheck Provide?

BrokerCheck provides the following:

  • Brief Overview: A brief overview of an advisor or broker’s employment information and credentials.
  • Qualifications: The advisor or broker’s qualifications including licensing, exams passed, and where the financial professional is registered.
  • Employment History: Mentions where the broker or advisor currently works and provides info regarding employment history for the previous ten years, including any work experience outside the brokerage industry.
  • Disclosure Notices: Information regarding whether the financial professional received disciplinary actions, consumer complaints, or if any criminal felonies were committed or charged. Some of this information can relate to ongoing legal proceedings or unresolved or unproven allegations. In addition, recently submitted comments on these issues provided by the broker or advisor may also be included.

Use the step-by-step guide below to begin using BrokerCheck to evaluate financial professionals:

Steps-by-Step Guide To Using BrokerCheck

1. Go to the FINRA BrokerCheck Website:

To begin accessing a BrokerCheck report for an individual or firm, visit the BrokerCheck website. Here you will enter information about the financial professional or firm.
https://brokercheck.finra.org/

FINRA BrokerCheck Website

 

2. Input the Broker’s Information

Once on the BrokerCheck website, insert the advisor name, firm name, or Central Registration Depository (CRD) number, which you can locate on the advisor’s profile on the WiserAdvisor directory. After inputting the information, click SEARCH.

Input The Broker’s Information

 

3. Review The Report

On the first page, you will receive a preview of the broker/advisor/firm’s report, including their name, firm name, disclosure information, years of experience, and more.

Review The Report

 

3a. To receive further detailed information on your advisor, select the “More Details” button to generate a report summary.

For further detailed information on your advisor, select the “More Details” button to generate a report summary

 

3b. If your advisor/firm is a broker, you will find detailed information regarding your advisor through BrokerCheck. You will know whether the professional/firm you searched for is a broker if “Broker Regulated by FINRA” is highlighted in dark blue as shown in the image below.

Broker Regulated by FINRA

3c. If your advisor/firm is not a broker, you will be redirected from the BrokerCheck website to the SEC website: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/

BrokerCheck website to the SEC

 

4. View Report Summary

On the next page, you will find a detailed summary of the financial professional/firm’s BrokerCheck report. This summary will include information such as employment history, disclosures, years of experience, exams passed, examination results, licenses, and registration history.

View Report Summary

 

5. Download or Share Report

After reviewing the summarized information, if you wish to download or share your financial professional/firm’s complete detailed report, click the corresponding links in the top right corner.

Download or Share Report

 

Finding the right financial advisor or firm is critical for the success of your future financial plans. In order for you to reach your financial goals, it is recommended that you try to hire an advisor or firm that would work in your best interest and be trustworthy. Therefore, it is essential for you to spend time comparing and researching advisors in order to get a good sense of their credibility and performance.

Click here to read more about BrokerCheck.

Begin evaluating financial advisors on the FINRA BrokerCheck website.

Previous Article

Things to Consider When Deciding Between A ...

Next Article

What is Roth 401(k) Matching, And How ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
WA-icon

WiserAdvisor Insights

A team of dedicated writers, editors and finance specialists sharing their insights, expertise and industry knowledge to help individuals live their best financial life and reach their personal financial goals. We believe that there is no place for fear in anyone's financial future and that each individual should have easy access to credible financial advice.

Related articles More from author

  • Financial Advisor Guide

    Fee-Based vs. Fee-Only Financial Advisors – Which Advisor Is Right for You?

    April 13, 2022
    By WiserAdvisor Insights
  • financial-advisor
    Financial Advisor Guide

    Do You Need a Financial Advisor as a Small Business Owner?

    October 21, 2021
    By WiserAdvisor Insights
  • financial advisor
    Financial Advisor Guide

    Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

    January 27, 2022
    By WiserAdvisor Insights
  • How Working with a Financial Advisor Helps You Retire with More Wealth
    Financial Advisor Guide

    How Working with a Financial Advisor Helps You Retire with More Wealth

    February 29, 2024
    By WiserAdvisor Insights
  • financial documents
    Financial Advisor Guide

    What are the Financial Documents required while meeting your Financial Advisor?

    July 22, 2019
    By WiserAdvisor Insights
  • Critical Information You Should Share with Your Financial Advisor to Create a Successful Partnership
    Financial Advisor Guide

    Critical Information You Should Share with Your Financial Advisor to Create a Successful Partnership

    March 3, 2025
    By WiserAdvisor Insights

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You might be interested

  • Financial Advisor
    Financial Advisor

    Who Are Financial Advisors and What Do They Do?

  • The Most Important Factor You’re Probably Overlooking In Your Retirement Planning
    Retirement

    The Most Important Factor You’re Probably Overlooking In Your Retirement Planning

  • 80/20 Rule in Finance
    Investment Management

    How the 80/20 Rule Affects Your Long-Term Investments

Don't miss out! Get our Helpful Financial Tips Newsletter

  • Latest Posts

  • Top Insights Driving Financial Planning Strategies in 2025

    Top Insights Driving Financial Planning Strategies in 2025

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    June 4, 2025
  • Tips to Build Wealth with Patience and Time

    Tips to Build Wealth with Patience and Time

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    May 29, 2025
  • How to Build a Retirement Plan That Covers Your Healthcare Needs

    How to Build a Retirement Plan That Covers Your Healthcare Needs

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    May 22, 2025
  • 10 Ways to Diversify Your Investment Portfolio for Retirement

    10 Ways to Diversify Your Investment Portfolio for Retirement

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    May 13, 2025
  • Popular Posts

  • The benefits of working with a financial advisor - WA

    The benefits of working with a Financial Advisor

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    July 16, 2019
  • Financial-Professional

    How to prepare for a meeting with your Financial Advisor

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    October 30, 2023
  • Retirement Calculators

    Best Retirement Calculators to plan Retirement

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    July 26, 2019
  • How Much To Save For Retirement By Age

    How Much To Save For Retirement By Age

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    December 18, 2023

Categories

  • Business Finance (2)
  • Education Planning (31)
  • Estate Planning (28)
  • Financial Advisor (1)
  • Financial Advisor Guide (53)
  • Financial Planning (137)
  • Investment Management (94)
  • Personal Finance (16)
  • Portfolio Management (1)
  • Retirement (30)
  • Retirement Healthcare (1)
  • Retirement Planning (106)
  • Retirement Plans (1)
  • Uncategorized (2)

The blog articles on this website are provided for general educational and informational purposes only, and no content included is intended to be used as financial or legal advice.
A professional financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decisions. Each person's financial situation is unique, and your advisor would be able to provide you with the financial information and advice related to your financial situation.

WiserAdvisor is America’s oldest and largest independent network of screened financial advisors. We make it easy and convenient for consumers to find and connect with advisors in their area. We have successfully helped over 100,000+ individuals find their best financial advisor since 1998 with no match fees, no commitments, no obligation, and complete confidentiality. WiserAdvisor has been featured in The Washington Post, The Washington Journal, ABC, CBS, Yahoo and has been seen in numerous other leading financial news and information websites.

FOLLOW US

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Top Insights Driving Financial Planning Strategies in 2025

    Top Insights Driving Financial Planning Strategies in 2025

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    June 4, 2025
  • Tips to Build Wealth with Patience and Time

    Tips to Build Wealth with Patience and Time

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    May 29, 2025
  • How to Build a Retirement Plan That Covers Your Healthcare Needs

    How to Build a Retirement Plan That Covers Your Healthcare Needs

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    May 22, 2025
  • The benefits of working with a financial advisor - WA

    The benefits of working with a Financial Advisor

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    July 16, 2019
  • Financial-Professional

    How to prepare for a meeting with your Financial Advisor

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    October 30, 2023
  • Retirement Calculators

    Best Retirement Calculators to plan Retirement

    By WiserAdvisor Insights
    July 26, 2019

Contact Us

Corporate Headquarters

12150 Monument Drive, Suite 700
Fairfax, VA, 22033

Business Hours

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST (Monday – Friday)

Email Address

wa.assistance@wiseradvisor.com

Phone Number

(703) 651-2060

Fax Number

(703) 259-4487

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2025 WiserAdvisor.com. All Rights Reserved.