Skip to main content

Professional Status Policy

All Market Data self-service plans are available to non-professional subscribers only. Exchange rules require vendors to classify and certify the status of every subscriber who receives real-time market data. It is your responsibility to subscribe under the correct classification. Business use of market data is only available under a commercial plan.

For a full explanation of how the exchanges define professional status and how to determine your own classification, see Professional Status Explained.

Self-Certification Requirement​

After purchasing a plan, all subscribers must complete a Data Use Interview — a self-certification process in which you confirm that your use of market data meets the non-professional criteria set by the exchanges. Your account cannot be fully activated for real-time data until this process is complete.

Non-professional certifications must be renewed once per year. You will be prompted to re-certify annually to confirm your status has not changed.

Obligation to Update Your Status​

If your employment, registration, or data use changes in a way that affects your classification, you are required to notify Market Data. Continued use of a non-professional plan after becoming a professional user is a breach of your exchange agreements and this policy.

Consequences of Misclassification​

If Market Data determines that a subscriber has incorrectly self-certified as non-professional:

  • The account will be reclassified as professional
  • Exchange fees will be assessed retroactively from the date of the incorrect certification
  • The account may be suspended or terminated without refund
  • Market Data reserves the right to pursue all remedies available under the Terms of Service

Refunds are not available on the basis of unexpected classification outcomes. All classifications are made according to exchange rules based on the information you provide.

Unverified Accounts​

If Market Data is unable to confirm your non-professional status — for example, because your profile is incomplete or your information cannot be verified — your account will be restricted to delayed and historical data until verification is complete. See Account Compliance for details on the verification process.