What kind of education is required to become a professional investor/stock trader?

I am in the military, so I won't be making much money in my present vocation; however, when I do have time, I would like to study to be a professional investor, stock trader, or maybe even dabble in the foreign exchange. I am not looking for an MBA (I have a MAcc) or something to hang on my wall, I am looking for practical ways to learn to be a trader. Does anyone have any advice?

you do not need a formal education to become a stock broker. the guy that handles 5 of my mutual funds was in the navy for 6 years then went to work as an assistant at t rowe price. he now manages 9 funds and does a great job. your military background will help you get a job but you must know how the market works. read all you can about it. there are different series test you might have to take, series 6,7,62,63,65, depend on what you want to be able to trade. practice questions are available online. this will give you an idea of the things you need to know. it is not just about how a stock does during a trade session
ex:
The Securities Act of 1933 pertains to which securities market?
a. Primary
b. Secondary
c. Third
d. Fourth

What is the third markets???

Which of the following does not apply as far as trading stocks on the floor of the NYSE is concerned?
a. Time priority
b. Price precedence
c. Time and price parity
d. Premiums

How much of one company can a mutual find own?

good luck

this is a list of the series test you might need. dont be nervous, if it something you want to do, you will have no problem

None, all you need to do is become sponsored by a company to "hang: your License at or work there and pass the series 7 securities exam and then the local state exam. series 63 in California. It is not an easy test, took it 13 years ago, and all the new guys seem to be taking a lot longer to pass or study for.

Let me encourage you.............I am 55 years young believes no gutz no glory.........I am a high schooll graduate.
Persevearance is greater than a genuis. It is the greatest interest I have ever had....Now I must tell you I am a christian and the greatest stock trader in the World is God....He has helped me to know when to stop.

HAPPY TRADING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi,

If you are not going to trad on the floor then no special education is required.

Start your self education reading following books:
Market Wizards by Jack D. Schwager;
Technical Analysis by Jack D. Schwager;

Comprehensive Course on The Wave Principle by A.J. Frost and Robert Prechter;

Candlestick Charting Explained- Timeless Techniques for Trading Stocks and Futures by Gregory L. Morris;

Trading Chaos 鈥?Applying Expert Techniques to Maximize Your Profit by Bill M. Williams;
New Trading Dimensions by Bill M. Williams
Trading Chaos II by Bill Williams 鈥?Maximize Profits with Proven Technical Techniques by Justin Gregory-Williams and Bill M. Williams

I think Bill M. Williams is the best teacher for stock trading. Then go to his website www.profitunity.com and order home study course. If you would have possibility then try to get education in his office. You鈥檒l see how easy you could become successful trader and how easy is trading using his guidance and software.

If you will do in range as indicated I hope my advices will be useful and one day you become very happy and successful trader!

Furthermore I could introduce you to one brokerage company in Austria that allows to trade from same account currency (forex), commodities, metals and cfd on shares. Total 500 instruments available, currency spreads from 1 pip. It's very rear option If you open trading account under my referral I provide you for free with trading techniques that I successfully use for several years and you鈥檒l get my assistance in the future.

Good luck!

It depends. If it's your own money then you don't need an education. If it's your friends money, you don't need an education. If you are opening your own mutual fund or becoming a broker then you need a series 7 license. Go to investorpedia.com to learn more about the information to get that license. Also note, that it's like a real license and the SEC can take it away from you. You don't need to go to a special school to get it.

You might want to consider http://www.top10traders.com - this is a free site that lets you create a portfolio of stocks with $100,000 in "play" money. You can develop trading strategies without risking actual money. Each day the site ranks the best performing portfolios, so you can see how your picks perform compared to other investors. You can also read posts on investing from the best traders, as well as share your own investing ideas. There is also a charting feature , so you can see how your portfolio performs compared to the S&P 500.

Here are this month's best traders:

http://www.top10traders.com/Top10Standin...

Hope this helps. (And thanks for serving your country!)

to be a trader or investor.........you can start today if you want, you don't need any type of license...........what you do need is knowledge and experience.......thousands of investment books out there.......get one from william oneill, he publishes investors business daily newspaper..........only way to teach yourself to be a good investor is to actually do it......you will probably lose money for at least a few years until you learn how hard it is, so be prepared to lose money

if you want to be a stock broker and advise people on how to invest their money, you have to get a series 7 license through an investment firm...the test is very hard and you have to have a company sponser you for the test........but you don't need this license if you just want to invest your own money.

read, wright and understand