How Do I Find Out My CRD Number?

The Central Registration Depository (CRD) number serves as a unique identifier within the financial industry. It is a specific numerical code assigned to financial professionals and firms. Understanding this identifier provides valuable insights into an individual’s or entity’s background and regulatory standing, helping to ensure transparency in the securities sector.

Understanding the CRD Number

The Central Registration Depository (CRD) number is a seven-digit identifier assigned to financial professionals and brokerage firms. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issues and maintains this number, overseeing broker-dealers in the United States. Its purpose is to track the employment history, licensing, and disciplinary actions of individuals and entities within the securities industry.

Financial professionals, such as brokers and investment adviser representatives, receive a CRD number upon registration with FINRA. This system acts as a comprehensive database, supporting the licensing and registration requirements of the U.S. securities industry and its regulators by holding records of professional qualifications, registrations, and disclosures.

Locating Your Own CRD Number

Financial professionals can retrieve their own CRD number through several methods. One common approach involves FINRA’s BrokerCheck tool, where you can search for yourself by entering your name. This public tool often displays your CRD number if you are currently or have been registered.

Another avenue for retrieving your CRD number is through your current or former employer’s compliance department. These departments have direct access to firm records and the CRD system, allowing them to provide your number. You might also find your CRD number on official registration documents provided when you initially entered the securities industry. For investment advisers, the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website also serves as a resource where your CRD number can be found.

Searching for a Financial Professional’s CRD Number

For members of the public, researching a financial professional’s CRD number is primarily through FINRA’s BrokerCheck tool. This free online resource allows you to investigate the professional backgrounds of investment professionals and firms. To begin a search, visit the BrokerCheck website and enter the professional’s name or, if known, their CRD number. Adding a firm name, city, or state can help narrow down results, especially if there are multiple individuals with similar names.

The BrokerCheck report provides information from the CRD system. This includes a summary of the individual’s credentials and current job functions. You can view their employment history for the past ten years, covering both securities and non-securities roles, along with a list of firms where they have been registered. The report also details qualifications, such as licenses held and qualification exams passed.

The disclosure information section of the BrokerCheck report reveals customer disputes, disciplinary events, and certain criminal and financial matters on the individual’s record. It includes details on allegations, regulatory actions, and any civil judicial proceedings. Reviewing these disclosures helps investors gain a comprehensive understanding of a professional’s background before making decisions about their investments. If a professional is also a registered investment adviser, BrokerCheck may link to the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database for additional information.