How to Become an Independent Stock Broker

Go to the National Association of Independent Securities Dealers and register to take a Series 7 Exam. The exam takes about six hours to complete with 260 questions, which you will have to pass with a score of 70 percent or higher.
Fill out and file a FOCUS form with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which will register your independent status. You can send it in by mail or electronically.
Set up an account at a brokerage like TD Waterhouse or Schwab to act as a custodian for any funds that you hold their on behalf of your clients. Although most brokerages that employ traditional brokers and also charge them fees based on the assets, they manage the independent broker is free of those onerous fees. At this stage, you can solicit clients and begin investing their money directly while keeping the lion's shares of the commissions and fees for yourself.