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What is Accredited Investor?

An investor who meets specific income or net worth thresholds, qualifying them to invest in unregistered securities like private placements.

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Definition

Accredited Investor

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An investor who meets specific income or net worth thresholds, qualifying them to invest in unregistered securities like private placements. Must have $200k+ income ($300k+ joint) or $1M+ net worth (excluding primary residence).

// EXAMPLE

An individual with $250k annual income qualifies as an accredited investor.

// COMMON_CONFUSION

Accredited investor status is based on financial criteria, not investment knowledge or sophistication.

How is Accredited Investor tested on the exam?

  • Identifying the income and net worth thresholds for accredited investor status
  • Understanding that primary residence is excluded from net worth calculation
  • Recognizing what investment opportunities are available only to accredited investors
  • Distinguishing between accredited investors and qualified clients
  • Understanding that advisers must verify accredited investor status

Regulatory limits

Regulatory Limits

Description Limit Notes
Income threshold (individual) $200,000+ annually For each of the past two years, with expectation of same for current year
Income threshold (joint with spouse) $300,000+ annually For each of the past two years, with expectation of same for current year
Net worth threshold $1,000,000+ Excluding value of primary residence
Professional credentials alternative Series 7, 65, or 82 license holders Recent addition to accredited investor definition

Accredited = "VIP Club with 4 Doors": $200k solo income, $300k joint income, $1M net worth (drop your house first), OR Series 7/65/82 license. Walk through ANY ONE door = you're in the VIP club for private investments!

Practice questions

Test your understanding with the questions below. Pick an answer to reveal the explanation.

Question 1

Jennifer, a 45-year-old marketing executive, has earned $210,000 annually for the past three years and expects the same this year. She owns a home worth $800,000 with a $600,000 mortgage, has $150,000 in retirement accounts, and $50,000 in a brokerage account. Her investment adviser wants to recommend a private placement opportunity. Does Jennifer qualify as an accredited investor?

Question 2

What is the minimum annual income threshold for an individual to qualify as an accredited investor under SEC regulations?

Question 3

A married couple is determining their net worth for accredited investor qualification. They own their primary residence valued at $1.2 million with an outstanding mortgage of $400,000. They also have $600,000 in investment accounts and $100,000 in a vacation property with no debt. What is their net worth for purposes of accredited investor qualification?

Question 4

All of the following individuals would qualify as accredited investors EXCEPT

Question 5

A financial adviser is evaluating whether a client qualifies as an accredited investor. The client has earned $190,000 annually for the past two years, has $1.1 million in total assets, owns a primary residence worth $800,000 with a $400,000 mortgage, and holds a Series 7 license. Which of the following statements are accurate?

1. The client qualifies based on income
2. The client qualifies based on net worth
3. The client qualifies based on professional credentials
4. The client must increase income by $10,000 to qualify

What concepts relate to Accredited Investor?

This term is part of this cluster :

Where does Accredited Investor appear on the Series 65 exam?

This term is tested in the following Series 65 exam topics:

Related study guides

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