The purpose and effect is to amend the existing rules to incorporate by reference the current version of SEC Form X-17A-5, FOCUS Report, and other materials incorporated by reference, to clarify how applicants for registration as associated persons of investment advisers or federal covered advisers may satisfy exam requirements, to use consistent terminology throughout the rule chapter, to remove superfluous language, to correct a spelling error, to require financial statements to be submitted to the Office through an electronic portal, to allow associated persons of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member firms who elect to participate in the FINRA Maintaining Qualifications Program (MQP) to satisfy exam requirements, to include intermediaries in the definition of “applicant” for purposes of general procedures regarding law enforcement records as such procedures relate to application review, and to add in missing language clarifying that for FINRA dealer branch offices not designated as an Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction (OSJ), FINRA dealers must specify the OSJ and the supervisor(s) at the specified OSJ that supervise(s) the branch office.