Registration

Registration of Stockbrokers

The investing public of South Carolina has the right to know that stock brokerage firms and individuals with whom they do business have been screened and are qualified to effect securities transactions.

All individual brokers-dealers and brokerage firms that do business in South Carolina must register with the Securities Division. This office licenses and regulates the conduct of brokerage firms and their agents. In addition, the Securities Division has access to a nationwide database of brokers and brokerage firms through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dealers (FINRA) and can quickly find registration status of brokers anywhere in the United States.

To find out if a firm or individual is registered or is the subject of reportable complaints, contact the Securities Division at 803-734-9916.

Broker-Dealer Instructions Check List

Registration of Investment Advisors

Investment advisers, financial planners and their representatives doing business in South Carolina must register with the Securities Division, except as exempted by the National Securities Market Improvement Act of 1996.

The term “investment adviser” includes financial planners and firms or individuals that advertise, hold themselves out as or otherwise act as investment advisers or financial planners. To find out if an investment adviser or financial planner is registered in South Carolina or is the subject of reportable complaints, contact the Securities Division at 803-734-9916.

Investment Advisor Instructions/Check List

Registration of Securities

All securities offered for sale in South Carolina must be registered, unless the particular securities are exempt.

A security can be a stock, a bond or an option on futures. A security is any investment contract, transaction or scheme in which a person invests money in a common enterprise and is led to expect profits.

To find out if a security is registered in South Carolina or to learn more about exemptions from registrations, contact the Securities Division at 803-734-9916.