Finra to push back back-office license deadline

The Securities and Exchange Commission this month approved a request by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. to extend some of the deadlines for passing the new Operations Professional qualifying exam. The changes affect previously unlicensed individuals who became covered under the new operations licensing regime after the October 17 effective date. This would include, for example, new hires. Instead of hustling to meet a December 16 deadline, these individuals now have until April 14, 2012 to pass the exam. Beginning December 17, those hired or becoming subject to the requirement have 120 days to pass.