Registering as a Professional Trader

Last updated: February 4, 2026

Please note that if income from futures trading is your only source of income, it does not necessarily mean that you are a Professional trader.

The definitions of Professional and Non-Professional are determined by the futures exchanges, and some information on the requirements for both can be found below.

Non-Professional:

Non-Professional shall mean and include either,

  • an individual, natural person Subscriber(s)

  • certain small business entities (limited liability companies, partnerships, trusts or corporations) that, receive and use Information (excluding any pit traded data), in each case subject to the following restrictions:

The data subscriber must have an active futures trading account:

 

The data subscriber must not be a member (or hold or lease any type membership) of any exchange:

  • The data subscriber does not have a primary business purpose that involves trading;

  • The data subscriber must not be registered or qualified as a professional trader or investment adviser with any stock, commodities or futures exchange or contract market, or with any regulatory authority, professional association or recognized professional body; and

  • The data subscriber must not be affiliated with any entity that is or may be considered a Professional user.

Professional:

A Professional data subscriber is any subscriber that does not meet the qualifications of a Non-Professional or falls under the categories described below will be considered a Professional. Notwithstanding anything else herein.

Professionals shall include, without limitation:

  • Any person that is registered or qualified as a professional trader or investment adviser with any stock, commodities or futures exchange or contract market, or with any regulatory authority, professional association or recognized professional body.

  • The data subscriber must not be registered or qualified as a professional trader or investment adviser with any stock, commodities or futures exchange or contract market, or with any regulatory authority, professional association or recognized professional body; and

  • Any person or entity that acts on behalf of an institution that engages in brokerage, banking, investment, or financial activities.

  • Any person or employee of an entity that holds any form of membership at any of the CME Group Designated Contract Markets (DCM) or any other exchange.

Disclaimer