For each section of ORS that is displayed in this tutorial, you will see a picture of an important part of an ORS screen and corresponding text under it. If you still need assistance after viewing the tutorial, contact NFA's Information Center.

Section 4: INDIVIDUAL PATH

Only firm update and file users which are created by the security manager can create an individual application. The user can begin the application process from the Online Registration home page by using the Apply for Registration link or by clicking on the Apply for Registration tab at the top of the screen.

This screen is used to complete a new application or finish an application that is in process for either a firm applicant or individual applicant.

An NFA ID number is required to complete an application. Before starting an application, you should have conducted a name or social security number search to determine if the applicant already has an NFA ID. If yes, enter it in the applicable field and click Process Application. If not, you will need to assign a new NFA ID number to the individual. To assign an NFA ID, go back to the main menu by clicking on the Online Registration link at the top left side of the page and then click on Assign an NFA ID.

This application is the basic biographical form used for individuals. This path must be filed for individuals who are principals of the firm and for all persons applying for registration as an AP or branch office manager. Check the appropriate box to indicate the category of registration for which the applicant is applying (AP, Branch Office Manager and/or Principal). Click on the sponsor list to select the sponsor (firm) which the applicant will be associated with. Use the dropdown menu to identify and select the branch office location where the applicant will be working. See Link for an example. Please note the Exit This Individual Application link in the upper left corner of the navigation bar. It is very important that all users use this process to exit the application if the user did not file the application. Users should not use the Log Off link in the upper right corner nor should the user close the browser. Exiting the application in any other way before the application is filed will prevent any other user from accessing the application. The application will remain open until the user files the application or the application is marked not in use.

This is the drop down display of the firm's branch office locations.

Once the security manager or another firm user creates an application for the individual, a user ID and password that is unique to the application will be created. Please ensure that no one else has access to this information. Please do not lose it. This password will be required for the applicant to fill out the rest of the application if the firm wants the applicant to do that and to verify the information in the application once the firm files the application. Once the applicant has verified that the information in the application is accurate, the password will no longer be valid. This password will only display one time. If the user exits the application before it is filed, the next time the application is entered, all that will display will be the individual's user ID.

If the individual is applying to be a principal, this screen will display. A pulldown menu enables you to select titles which are common to firm principals. There is also a button which enables you to identify if the individual has 10% or more interest in the firm.

Provide all requested information. Note also that although listing a Social Security number and CRD number is optional, NFA strongly urges that these numbers be provided to aid in identification. Additionally, a CRD number is required if the individual is going to satisfy proficiency requirements based on being a registered General Securities Representative or if the individual will not be taking the branch office manager examination because he/she is qualified to be a branch office manager with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Indicate if the applicant has ever been known by any other name, for example, a maiden name, or changed their name for another reason, e.g., a stage name or pen name.

This section concerns matters which are required to be disclosed in connection with a registration application. When completing this section, it is important to carefully read the instructions and the questions. You must answer each question.

Several words on the page are in blue. If you click on them, the user will be provided with a definition of the term. Common mistakes in answering the criminal disclosure questions involve expungements. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission requires a "Yes" answer even if the matter has been expunged, no matter what the applicant's lawyer or the judge said. Failing to answer these questions correctly can not only delay the registration process, it can also result in the application being denied for failing to disclose material information.

For any matter that caused a "Yes" answer, you must also provide a written explanation detailing the events and conduct. That explanation can be entered on this page by giving it a name, e.g., the docket number of the case, and describing it in the text box. Alternatively, the explanation can be sent in hard copy format to NFA. To provide explanations for more than one matter in ORS, the user should click the Add Another Matter box after finishing the first explanation. The user can edit or delete any explanation before the application is filed. Once filed, only NFA can do that. In addition to the required explanation, court documents about the matter must be sent to NFA. If the court documents are unavailable, a letter from the court verifying that must be sent to NFA. Like answering the questions correctly, providing all documents to NFA is important. Failure to do so will delay the registration process and may result in a denial of the application.

Regulatory actions taken by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, NFA or domestic futures exchanges do not need to be disclosed since these actions are generally entered into NFA's BASIC system.

For any matter that caused a "Yes" answer, you must also provide a written explanation detailing the events and conduct. That explanation can be entered on this page by giving it a name, e.g., the docket number of the case, and describing it in the text box. Alternatively, the explanation can be sent in hard copy format to NFA. To provide explanations for more than one matter in ORS, the user should click the Add Another Matter box after finishing the first explanation. The user can edit or delete any explanation before the application is filed. Once filed, only NFA can do that. In addition to the required explanation, documents about the matter must be sent to NFA. If these documents are unavailable, a letter from the regulatory organization verifying that must be sent to NFA. Like answering the questions correctly, providing all documents to NFA is important. Failure to do so will delay the registration process and may result in a denial of the application.

It is not necessary to disclose arbitration or CFTC reparations matters unless the applicant has failed to pay an award issued in a futures-related arbitration or an order to pay in a reparations matter.

Account for all time during the past 10 years even if there were periods when the applicant was unemployed or in school. When indicating time periods, the month and year must be included. If the applicant is currently employed, the "To" field should be left blank for that employer. You can click on "Add" to create additional employment or education records. You can also edit any entry by clicking on the edit button or delete an entry by clicking on the X.

Account for all time during the past 5 years, starting with the applicant's current address. When indicating time periods, the month and year must be included. For the applicant's current residence, leave the "To" field blank.

NFA must receive from FINRA proof that the applicant passed the National Commodity Futures Examination (Series 3) before registration can be granted. If the user indicates that the applicant has passed the applicable exam, NFA must receive the proof within 20 days of the application filing date or the TL, if granted, will be withdrawn. NFA will run a "matching" program nightly that will match test results so that in most cases, applicants will not need to submit their test results to NFA. Applicants who have not passed the Series 3 will not be eligible for a TL until the test results have been received. If the user indicates that the applicant will limit his or her activities and satisfy an alternative proficiency requirement, the applicant's sponsor has an obligation to diligently supervise the applicant's activities to ensure that the applicant operates within these limits. For a more complete explanation of the proficiency requirements, consult the Registration section of NFA's website and the FAQ section of the Online Registration System.

Applicants sponsored by FCMs or IBs who are registered as General Securities Representatives and who indicated that the applicant intends to satisfy alternative proficiency requirements must indicate how they will limit their futures activities by checking one or more of the first three boxes. Applicants who have been registered in the UK or Canada may check the fourth box.

This screen displays because the applicant indicated that he or she was going to limit his or her activity to soliciting pool participants on the previous screen. Now, you must indicate whether the applicant has passed or has yet to take the Series 31 exam.

Each applicant must submit a fingerprint card as part of the application. The only exception to this requirement is if the applicant is registered with a firm that is also registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as a broker-dealer and has submitted fingerprints to FINRA within the past 90 days.

This page appears at the end of the path and shows a summary of the status the applicant will obtain when the application is filed, any incomplete filings, additional filings or additional requirements that must be met before an application can be approved. It serves as a checklist to identify any items that must be provided before the application can be filed (Incomplete Items) and the other items that must be filed (Additional Filings) or resolved (Additional Requirements) before registration can be granted. It is very important that the user click on File Application after reviewing the data. Otherwise, the application will not be submitted to NFA's database and the temporary license (TL) will not be granted. When the application is filed, TLs will be granted online to eligible applicants regardless of additional filings. The Registration Categories section displays all registration classes for which the individual has applied as well as what the applicant's status will be after the application is filed. This section will not appear if there are any items in the Incomplete Filings section. The Incomplete Filings section displays all of the required items in the path that were not provided. You have the ability to click on the section heading to return to the page with the missing information to complete the page. You cannot file an application with any incomplete filings. In fact, the File Application button will not display if there are incomplete sections of the application. The Additional Filings section displays information that must be provided in order to complete the application. For example, information regarding disciplinary disclosure questions marked "yes" must be provided, the same for proficiency examination information, fingerprint cards, fees, etc.. An individual verification is also required to complete the application. The Additional Requirements section displays the additional NFA matters that must be resolved before the application can be approved. For example, an application cannot be granted unless the applicant listed in the application passes an NFA fitness check, which is a separate process. Once the application is complete, you must click on the File Application button to actually file the application. In filing the application, the sponsor makes a variety of representations, agreements and certifications, all of which are contained in the text box above the File Application button. These should be carefully reviewed before you file the application.