390 Rule: Professional Order Rule for Options Trading (2024)

What is the 390 Professional Orders Rule ("390 Rule")?

If you average 390 option orders per day in any calendar month you may qualify as a professional trader. The "390 Rule" applies to all options orders sent to the broker for execution, not just filled orders.

Per the SEC’s approval of CBOE rule regarding professional trading: “Professional means any person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s). A Professional will be treated in the same manner as a broker or dealer in securities.”

Read the CBOE's Regulatory Circular RG16-065 to learn more about how they classify professional orders.

Placing one order per minute every day of the month will qualify you as a professional trader per the CBOE. Most retail traders are not at risk of sending 390 orders per day, but it is something to keep in mind if you have high trading volume. If you submit an order for a multi-leg option strategy, such as a vertical spread or iron condor, it counts as a single order, until you exceed 8 legs per order.

Why does the '390 Rule' exist?

The purpose of the 390 Rule is to prevent non-professional traders from behaving as market makers. Non-professional (see:public, retail) orders are prioritized over professional orders. Therefore, the 390 Professional Orders Rule ensures that professional traders do not receive priority over retail customers.

Tracking your options orders

You can easily track your orders inside Option Alpha's trade log in the Positions tab.

390 Rule: Professional Order Rule for Options Trading (1)

All orders sent to your broker from Option Alpha are displayed here, including filled, canceled, rejected, and working orders.

Plus, you can now use a Maximum Exit Option Attempts Setting to automatically limit the amount of closing orders sent to the broker. This helps retail options traders control their order volume and helps to avoid the 390 Professional Orders Rule.

390 Rule: Professional Order Rule for Options Trading (2)

FAQs

Why is it called the '390 Rule?'

There are 390 minutes in an average trading day. Placing one order per minute every day of the month will qualify you as a professional trader per the CBOE. The 390 rule is in place to prevent the prioritization of non-professional traders' orders over the orders of professional traders.

Do Iqualify for the 390 Orders rule for options traders?

If you submit more than an average of 390 options orders per day for a calendar month, you may qualify for the 390 Rule.

What financial instruments qualify for the 390 Rule?

The 390 Rule applies to options orders. If you submit an order for a multi-leg option strategy it still counts as a single order until you exceed 8 legs per order.

390 Rule: Professional Order Rule for Options Trading (2024)

FAQs

390 Rule: Professional Order Rule for Options Trading? ›

There are 390 minutes in an average trading day. Placing one order per minute every day of the month will qualify you as a professional trader per the CBOE. The 390 rule is in place to prevent the prioritization of non-professional traders' orders over the orders of professional traders.

What is the professional customer rule for options? ›

If an account ever exceeds 390 option orders for a given a day a notification will be sent. Clients are advised not to exceed the 390 option orders threshold for a given calendar month or they will be designated as a professional trader.

What is the 390 rule on TD Ameritrade? ›

What does this magic number have to do with trading? If you are a trader who averages 390 option orders a day in a calendar month, you could classify as a professional trader. Effectively, placing a new order each minute of the trading day, hence the 390 in the rule's title.

How much money do day traders with $10,000 accounts make per day on average? ›

With a $10,000 account, a good day might bring in a five percent gain, which is $500. However, day traders also need to consider fixed costs such as commissions charged by brokers. These commissions can eat into profits, and day traders need to earn enough to overcome these fees [2].

How to avoid PDT rule? ›

Switch to a cash account.

A cash account isn't subject to PDT regulation. This will allow you to continue day trading and participating in the Stock Lending and Brokerage cash sweep programs.

What is the 390 rule for options? ›

Per the SEC's approval of CBOE rule regarding professional trading: “Professional means any person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s).

What is the golden rule of customer? ›

In spite of all the noise and hype involving customer service these days, it truly boils down to one simple, age-old truth, often referred to as the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you would want to be treated."

Can you trade options with less than 25k? ›

Day trading with less than $25k is not only possible, it's a reality for many traders. The key is understanding the rules and regulations that govern this type of trading. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has specific rules for day traders, particularly those classified as Pattern Day Traders.

Does the 390 rule apply to stocks? ›

Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 19c-3, which was adopted in 1980, Rule 390 currently applies only to stocks listed on the Exchange as of April 26, 1979, otherwise known as "covered securities." In accordance with Exchange Act Rule 19c-1, Rule 390 was amended in 1978 to permit members to trade as agent in the over-the- ...

How much money do I need to trade options on TD Ameritrade? ›

A $0.65 per contract fee applies for options trades. We deliver added value with our order execution quality, with 98.2% of executed market orders receiving a better price than the National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO) at the time of routing.

Can you make $200 a day day trading? ›

A common approach for new day traders is to start with a goal of $200 per day and work up to $800-$1000 over time. Small winners are better than home runs because it forces you to stay on your plan and use discipline. Sure, you'll hit a big winner every now and then, but consistency is the real key to day trading.

Can you make $5000 day trading? ›

It is theoretically possible to make $5,000 a day in day trading, but it's essential to understand that day trading is highly risky and not a guaranteed way to make money. Many day traders incur significant losses, and only a small percentage of them consistently profit from day trading.

Can I make 1000 per day from trading? ›

Earning Rs. 1000 per day in the share market requires knowledge, discipline, and a well-defined strategy. Whether you choose day trading, swing trading, fundamental analysis, or any other approach, remember that success takes time and effort. The share market can be highly rewarding but carries inherent risks.

Can you trade options without PDT rule? ›

Those without the PDT designation can trade only up to two times their amount of excess equity. Pattern day trading is limited to stock and equity options trades.

What is the 357 rule in trading? ›

What is the 3 5 7 rule in trading? A risk management principle known as the “3-5-7” rule in trading advises diversifying one's financial holdings to reduce risk. The 3% rule states that you should never risk more than 3% of your whole trading capital on a single deal.

What is the $25,000 PDT rule? ›

Under the PDT rules, you must maintain minimum equity of $25,000 in your margin account prior to day trading on any given day. If the account falls below the $25,000 requirement, you cannot day trade until you are back at or above the $25,000 minimum.

How many options should you give a customer? ›

Don't present more than five options at a time.

Some say no more than two or three, while others say the sweet spot lies between eight and 15. This variation is likely because the ideal number will depend on your specific products and target audience.

How many options should a salesperson give to a customer? ›

The retailer has found the magic number of choices to be two or three, but no more. If a salesperson offers a customer more than one item, it demonstrates that the salesperson is an expert in the product and has actively listened to the customer's needs.

What is the rule of option? ›

There are two main types of options : calls and puts. A call option gives the holder the right to buy the underlying asset at a predetermined price, while a put option gives the holder the right to sell the underlying asset at a predetermined price.

References

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