Understanding Professional vs. Non-Professional data, Display vs Non-Display data, exchange requirements, and how to stay compliant on Tickblaze.
Understanding Professional vs. Non-Professional Data, Display vs Non-Display Data, Exchange Requirements, and How to Stay Compliant
Last Updated: 04/07/2026
Tickblaze distributes real-time CME Group market data under our Vendor-of-Record (VOR) agreement.
Under CME policy, every subscriber must be classified as either a Professional or Non-Professional user, and Tickblaze is legally required to collect your declaration before granting data access.
Your classification determines:
Tickblaze does not control these classifications-CME does.
A Non-Professional Subscriber is generally a natural person (or qualifying small entity) that:
If all of the above are true, you typically qualify as a Non-Pro.
Even a single “No” on these criteria may classify you as Professional.
A Professional Subscriber is anyone who:
CME requires automatically classifying these individuals as Professional.
Because CME requires us to verify-not assume-your status.
Tickblaze must:
These rules protect the integrity of market data distribution.
Non-Professional pricing is a privilege granted by CME - not guaranteed and subject to strict rules.
Professional users typically receive more flexible usage rights.
You may be Professional if any of the following apply:
Even unpaid advisory roles may classify you as Professional.
Yes.
CME requires a funded, active futures account to qualify for reduced Non-Professional rates.
Using demo-only accounts or platforms that cannot route orders may disqualify you.
CME rules require that:
Tickblaze meets this requirement as a fully compliant trading platform.
If you incorrectly declare yourself as Non-Professional when you should be Professional, CME requires:
Tickblaze is also required to:
Misclassification is a serious compliance violation.
CME routinely performs audits on all VORs, including Tickblaze.
During an audit, CME may request:
If CME disagrees with your classification, Tickblaze must:
Tickblaze has no discretion to override CME decisions.
Tickblaze is also required to:
Misclassification is a serious compliance violation.
Tickblaze will:
If you fail to respond or provide sufficient proof:
Because failing to comply exposes Tickblaze to:
Our obligations under CME licensing agreements require strict enforcement.
You must notify Tickblaze immediately if:
You can update your status at any time through the Tickblaze Help Center.
Yes if you fully meet Non-Pro criteria and provide documentation.
CME may require proof of unregistering, leaving industry positions, or ceasing commercial activity.
Tickblaze will:
This is a regulatory requirement, not a discretionary policy.
You may:
However, CME’s final determination overrides all user submissions.
For CME Group purposes, Display Usage means CME market data is being viewed visually by a human user on a screen, including but not limited to:
In a Display scenario:
Tickblaze can deliver CME Display data to both:
based on the status you declare and certify in the Tickblaze Market Data Self-Certification.
Display usage is what most discretionary retail traders use.
For CME Group purposes, Non-Display Usage is when CME market data is used in a way that is not primarily visual and not solely for human viewing, for example:
In practice, for Tickblaze and CME, Non-Display generally includes:
Non-Display usage is subject to separate CME licensing and fees, and Tickblaze is required to enforce those rules for CME Group data only.
Tickblaze’s Non-Display restrictions described here apply only to CME Group exchanges, specifically:
For other exchanges and data sources (for example, certain equities, indices, FX, crypto, or other futures venues outside the CME Group):
In short:
Tickblaze distinguishes between historical CME usage and same-day CME usage for Strategy Desktop:
1: Backtesting CME data older than 24 hours
2: Backtesting CME data within 24 hours of the current time (same-day)
Therefore:
For algo execution and automated strategies using CME Group data, Tickblaze enforces the following:
1: Obtained the appropriate CME Non-Display license directly from CME; and
2: Provided Tickblaze with acceptable proof of that approval; and
3: Been explicitly enabled by Tickblaze Compliance for CME Non-Display usage.
In other words:
If you attempt to:
Tickblaze will:
1: Block that specific CME Non-Display operation (e.g., strategy start, same-day backtest).
2: Present you with a platform pop-up / notice explaining that:
3: Confirm that:
CME usage will be locked only to the extent required by these rules; other products and exchanges remain available.
Tickblaze’s responsibilities:
CME’s responsibilities:
Tickblaze does not set CME Non-Display pricing, cannot guarantee eligibility, and has no control over CME timelines.
Yes. CME does support Non-Display arrangements for both:
including scenarios where a retail / Non-Pro trader is running automated strategies (algo trading) on CME data.
Important points:
If you are interested in Non-Display licensing as a Non-Professional user, you must contact CME directly to:
Once approved, you may then provide proof to Tickblaze for feature enablement.
The process is:
1: Contact CME directly
2: Complete CME’s application and licensing process
3: Receive CME approval and documentation
4: Submit proof of CME Non-Display approval to Tickblaze
5: Tickblaze verifies and unlocks CME Non-Display functionality
Without this approval, these specific CME Non-Display features will remain locked.
Yes, you can still use Tickblaze extensively, subject to the following boundaries:
You can:
You cannot (without CME Non-Display licensing):
This structure allows you to use nearly all of Tickblaze’s capabilities while staying inside CME’s Non-Display rules.
Tickblaze’s platform is designed to automatically block any CME Non-Display activity, including:
Under normal circumstances, users cannot access these features without prior CME approval.
However, in rare cases (for example, a technical malfunction, an integration error, or unexpected client-side behavior), it is still possible for Non-Display activity to occur unintentionally. CME requires Tickblaze, as a Vendor of Record, to maintain policies that address this scenario.
If CME determines through an audit that unlicensed Non-Display usage occurred, then:
This clause exists because CME holds subscribers responsible for the accuracy of their declarations, even in cases where an error or malfunction enabled usage outside permitted boundaries.