# 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](https://www.marketdata.app/education/stocks/professional-status-explained/).

## Professional Subscribers and Real-Time Data

Professional subscribers never receive real-time exchange data on a self-service plan, no matter which exchange agreements they sign. Signing an agreement does not change this, and neither does upgrading your plan. Delayed / historical data access remains available, depending on the data policies of each exchange.

Real-time exchange data for professional use requires **direct exchange licensing**, which Market Data arranges individually. [Contact our sales team](https://www.marketdata.app/contact/) to discuss exchange licensing for your use case. All real-time data requests from professional subscribers go through the sales team.

## 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](https://www.marketdata.app/terms/)

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](https://www.marketdata.app/docs/docs/account/data-policies/account-verification/) for details on the verification process.