Massachusetts

Citation: Section 401(m) Firms who are BDs are statutorily excluded from the definition of Investment Adviser

Should I transition? Generally, agents relying on exemption do not have to transition.  But if firm has notice filed, agent should register.  If the agent has not registered prior to release 4.0, this will not be a transition, but it will be an initial filing.

Generally, representatives  can only claim an exclusion if they are registered with the BD and are under the bd’s control and supervision.  Also, if an IA/BD has IARs who are not registered as agents and the IA has relied on the BD exclusion the IA rep should register as a state level IA.

Contact Information: Brian Lantagne, 617-727-3548

IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU MUST READ BEFORE CONSIDERING THIS RESOURCE: 

This information is provided for the convenience of interested parties. It is not legal advice but may serve as a starting point for firms considering their IARD transition obligations. NASAA does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the following information.  The information is also subject to change.

While NASAA believes that this information is accurate as of publication, firms are encouraged to seek the advice of their counsel and/or contact the states in which they have IARs. Firms may also wish to research whether the state has mandated the use of IARD. Firms should also know that even if a state has not mandated, its laws may require an agent to file electronically if the firm has filed electronically or notice filed electronically with the IARD. A firm may also wish to consider that some states may require registration if the agent holds him or herself out as an IAR.

This information only considers exemptions and definitional exclusions for agents who work for an IA/BD and does not consider other exclusions, exemptions or any federal preemptive provisions that may exist. Firms should remember that generally, an IAR may only transition in a state if the agent is (or is considered) licensed or registered in the state prior to CRD release 4.0. The system will not prevent the firm from attempting to transition an agent who is not registered in the state.  For these erroneous transition attempts, the firm will receive a “filed in error” response and be charged the $45 set up fee by the NASD.  A firm that has recently discovered that the IAR should be registered may have to file an initial U-4 rather than transition. If a firm is unsure of its obligations, the firm should call the jurisdiction in question.

Last Updated: March 12, 2002