Inactivity rule — A limit on how long an account may go without a trade before it is suspended or closed.
How inactivity rule works in prop trading
Firms close dormant accounts because each one carries platform, data, and monitoring cost. Typical windows run from 14 to 30 consecutive days without a filled trade, and the consequence ranges from a warning email to outright closure with no refund of the evaluation or activation fee.
The rule catches traders who step away deliberately — after a drawdown, during a holiday, or while waiting for market conditions to suit their method. Where a firm permits it, requesting a hold in advance is usually straightforward; discovering the rule from a closure notice is not recoverable. Note that unlimited-time evaluations still carry an inactivity rule.
Key points
- Common thresholds are 14 to 30 consecutive days with no filled trade.
- Applies to evaluations and funded accounts alike, including no-time-limit programs.
- Consequences range from suspension to permanent closure without a refund.
- Many firms will pause the clock if you request it before the window elapses.
Also known as
- inactive account
- dormancy
- inactivity period
Frequently asked questions
How long can a prop firm account stay inactive?
Usually 14 to 30 days without a filled trade, depending on the firm. Some count calendar days and some count trading days, which changes the window materially over a holiday period.
Can you pause a prop firm account?
Several firms allow a hold if you request it in advance, sometimes for a fee or with a limit on how often. Ask before the inactivity window elapses — a closed account is generally not reinstated.
Inactivity rule is described here as a plain-language educational definition. Firms, platforms, and account programs may apply different conditions or calculations. Verify the current official terms before using this definition to make an account decision.