Licensing, Registration & Due Diligence
Know Who You Are Working With
First, the Vocabulary
License, Registration, and Credentials Are Not the Same
These three words are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Understanding the difference is the foundation of good due diligence.
License
Permission to perform certain regulated activities — for example, selling insurance or working in brokerage. A license is granted by a regulator and can be suspended or revoked.
Registration
Being listed with a regulator that provides oversight and maintains a public disclosure record — for example, SEC or state registration for investment advisers.
Credentials & Designations
A training or membership label. Useful context, but not the same as a license or a registration — a designation alone does not authorize regulated activity or guarantee oversight.
Who Does What
Common Professional Roles
The same person may wear more than one hat. Knowing which role applies tells you where to look and which disclosure document matters.
Investment Adviser / IAR
An investment adviser, or an investment adviser representative, is registered with the SEC or a state regulator. The Form ADV is the key disclosure document to review.
Broker-Dealer / Registered Representative
Broker-dealers and the registered representatives who work with them appear in FINRA BrokerCheck, which records their registrations and any disclosures.
Insurance Agent
Insurance agents are licensed separately, typically through a state department of insurance. The same professional may also hold one or more registrations in other roles.
The Two Tools That Matter
How to Verify Anyone
Both of these databases are free, public, and run by regulators. A few minutes here can confirm a professional’s registration history and surface any disclosures before you ever sign anything.
SEC — Investment Adviser Public Disclosure
The IAPD database lets you look up investment advisers and their representatives, review the Form ADV, and see registration status and disclosures.
FINRA — BrokerCheck
BrokerCheck lets you research brokers, brokerage firms, and many investment advisers — including employment history, registrations, and disclosure events.
A professional worth trusting will welcome these questions — and will be easy to find in the public record.
Our Record
How Studemont Group Operates
We hold ourselves to the same standard of transparency we encourage you to apply to anyone. Here are the verifiable facts.
- John McDonough is the founder and President & CEO of Studemont Group.
- Studemont Group is based in Houston, Texas.
- John has been licensed (General Lines, Texas Department of Insurance) since 2001.
- He brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm's planning work.
If you ever have a question about how we are licensed or registered, ask. We would rather you verify than wonder.
Related Resources
Continue Your Reading
Life Insurance Planning
How permanent and term coverage fit into a coordinated wealth preservation plan — beyond the product itself.
Premium Financing
A leveraged strategy that may help qualified individuals secure substantial coverage while preserving capital.
All Resources
Browse the full library of educational guides on tax, estate, asset protection, and insurance strategy.
Start the Conversation
Verify First. Then Let's Talk.
Due diligence should never feel awkward — it is simply good practice. When you are ready, schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your objectives and the strategies that may fit them.
- Confidential, no-obligation discussion
- Strategy-first, never product-led
- Transparent about how we are licensed
Houston, Texas · By appointment