Step-by-Step: How to Check If a Broker Is Licensed in the UK

Before you open a broker account or transfer money to a trading platform, there is one check that matters more than any review, testimonial, or sales conversation: is this firm actually authorised to do what it claims? In the UK, that answer lives on the FCA Register — and finding it takes about ten minutes once you know the steps.

This guide walks you through the full verification process: gathering information, searching the Register, reading permission scope, screening the Warning List, and spotting clone firms. We also cover CySEC briefly for firms claiming Cyprus authorisation.

Step 0: Collect These Details First

Before opening any register, gather the following from the firm's website footer, terms of business, and written communications — not from a phone call alone.

• Legal entity name — the full registered company name, not the marketing brand
• FCA Firm Reference Number (FRN) — if displayed
• Registered address — as stated in legal disclosures
• Website domain — the exact URL you are being asked to use
• Claimed services — share dealing, CFDs, advice, etc.

Write these down. Discrepancies between what the firm tells you and what the Register shows are significant findings — even before you finish verifying.

Step 1: Open the FCA Register

Navigate directly to register.fca.org.uk. Type the URL yourself or use a bookmark — do not click advert links in search engine results, which sometimes lead to imitation sites.

1. Select "Financial Services Register" search
2. Enter the legal entity name from the website footer
3. If no results appear, try spelling variations, parent company names, and partial matches
4. Open each relevant result and review the full entry

Positive match: entity name, FRN, and address correspond to the firm's disclosures; status shows as Authorised; permissions include the service you plan to use.

Negative finding: no matching entry, or matched entity details differ materially from marketing materials. Treat this as a stop condition — do not deposit funds until you receive written clarification.

Step 2: Read the Permission Scope

FCA authorisation is not an all-access pass. The Register lists specific regulated activities and investment types. Check whether:

• Dealing in investments as agent or principal covers the products offered
• Advising on investments permission exists if personal recommendations are provided
• The contacting entity is an appointed representative — and whether the principal firm holds relevant permissions
• Authorisation has been suspended, cancelled, or is subject to conditions

A firm authorised only for payment services cannot legally provide investment advice. Permission scope must match the actual service model — not just the website branding.

Step 3: Screen the FCA Warning List

A positive Register match alone is not enough. Run a parallel search on the FCA Warning List:

1. Search the legal entity name
2. Search the website domain
3. Search any trading or brand names used in marketing
4. Review clone firm warnings if your Register match found a legitimate entity

Our guide on how warning lists work explains what entries mean and provides category examples including clone bank sites and unauthorised FX operations.

Step 4: Clone Firm Detection

Clone firms are fraudulent operations that impersonate legitimate authorised companies. The Register may show the real firm while the website you are using belongs to an impersonator citing the same FRN.

• Confirm the website domain matches the official domain on the Register entry
• Check that contact email addresses use the same domain — not Gmail or Yahoo accounts
• Call the phone number listed on the Register, not numbers supplied by sales staff
• Compare the registered address on the Register with the website contact page
• Search the domain on the FCA Warning List for clone alerts

Clone detection closes the gap between "I found them on the Register" and "I am actually dealing with the authorised entity." See our scam checklist for additional red flags.

Step 5: CySEC Register — Brief Overview

Some firms claim authorisation from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) as their home-state regulator. If you encounter this claim:

1. Search the CySEC investment firms register at cysec.gov.cy
2. Confirm status is "Authorised" and category is CIF (Cyprus Investment Firm)
3. Compare listed website domains with the URL offered to you
4. Check CySEC public warnings for related entries

Important context for UK consumers: after Brexit, EU passporting rights that previously allowed some EU-authorised firms to serve UK retail clients automatically have changed. CySEC authorisation alone does not substitute for FCA permissions when a firm actively targets UK consumers without appropriate UK authorisation. When in doubt, consult the FCA directly via fca.org.uk.

Step 6: Classify Your Outcome

After completing all steps, classify your finding:

• Verified: positive Register match, no Warning List entry, no clone indicators, consistent entity data — proceed only to contractual and fee-level due diligence (see our hidden fees guide)
• Inconclusive: partial match or unexplained discrepancy — request written clarification and withhold funds until resolved
• Failed: no Register match, Warning List entry, or confirmed clone — cease engagement and consider reporting via fca.org.uk

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why it fails	What to do instead
Searching by brand name only	Legal entity may differ from marketing name	Use the name from contracts and legal notices
Trusting register screenshots from sales staff	Screenshots can be fabricated or outdated	Access register.fca.org.uk independently
Checking FRN without verifying entity name	Clones misuse another firm's reference number	Verify FRN, name, and address together
Skipping the Warning List	Authorised firm may have active clone impersonators	Always screen both Register and Warning List

Document Your Search

Keep dated screenshots of Register and Warning List results, the URLs you accessed, and notes on any discrepancies. This documentation supports complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service, Action Fraud, or the FCA if issues arise later.

When to Seek Additional Help

If verification produces conflicting results — for example, a Register match but a clone warning for the domain you were given — do not guess. Contact the authorised firm using details from the Register entry only, and ask them to confirm whether the website and contact persons you are dealing with are genuinely theirs. You can also contact the FCA consumer helpline for guidance. MoneyHelper offers free, impartial support at moneyhelper.org.uk if you are unsure how to interpret what you find.

Conclusion

Licence verification is the foundation of broker due diligence. It requires no specialist knowledge — only methodical attention and the discipline to withhold funds until verification is complete. Combine this process with our guides on choosing a broker, scam prevention, and warning lists for a thorough approach.