National Commodity Futures Examination (Series 3) — exam facts
United States (NFA exam, administered by FINRA)
Every source below was read on 2026-10-17
| Administering body | National Futures Association (NFA) FINRA's Series 3 page calls it an NFA exam administered by FINRA. Source: FINRA — Series 3 – National Commodities Futures Exam (2026-10-17) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 125 questions (120 scored, 5 unscored pretest) NFA lists 120 questions and says candidates also receive 5 additional experimental questions that do not count toward their grades. NFA does not say how many fall in each of the two parts. Source: NFA — Study Outline for Futures Industry Exams (Series 3 section and exam table) (2026-10-17) |
| Time limit | 150 minutes Source: NFA — Study Outline for Futures Industry Exams (Series 3 section and exam table) (2026-10-17) |
| Passing score | 70% 70 percent is required on each of the two parts, market knowledge and regulations; passing one part does not offset failing the other. Source: NFA — Study Outline for Futures Industry Exams (Series 3 section and exam table) (2026-10-17) |
| Fees |
NFA's exam table lists $140 for the Series 3. NFA says fees are not refundable. Source: NFA — Study Outline for Futures Industry Exams (Series 3 section and exam table) (2026-10-17) |
| Languages offered | Not published by NFA and FINRA NFA's outline and FINRA's page name no exam language; the only language provision found is 60 extra minutes for exams longer than two hours when requested in advance by a candidate with limited English proficiency. What we read and found nothing in: NFA — Study Outline for Futures Industry Exams (Series 3 section and exam table) (2026-10-17) · FINRA — Series 3 – National Commodities Futures Exam (2026-10-17) · NFA — Futures and Forex Proficiency Examinations FAQs (2026-10-17) |
Change log
- 2026-10-17Fact sheet created from NFA's study-outline page, NFA's FAQ and FINRA's Series 3 page: 120 scored plus 5 experimental questions, 150 minutes, 70 percent on each part, $140 fee.