The Series 66 is a NASAA exam that, together with the Series 7, qualifies a person to register both as a broker's representative and as an investment adviser representative.
Its full name is the Uniform Combined State Law Examination. It has 100 scored questions plus 10 unscored ones, a 150-minute limit, and a pass mark of 73 correct. The Series 7 and the SIE are corequisites, and NASAA treats passing the Series 66 as equal to passing both the Series 63, the state law exam for brokers, and the Series 65.
Because it is built for people who do both jobs, a Series 66 on an advisor's record often means they work, or have worked, on the brokerage side too. Professional designations such as the CFP can stand in for the Series 65, but not for the Series 66.
How to check
Look at the exams and registrations on the person's FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC adviser record. If you see a Series 66 alongside a current broker registration, ask how they would be paid on your account.
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