You need to request options access through your account settings, and Robinhood will review your process based on your trading experience and account details

Robinhood does not automatically grant options trading permission to new accounts. You must submit a request, and the company reviews it based on factors like how long you have held your account, your trading history, and the answers you provide about your investment experience. The review usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though it can take longer if Robinhood needs more information from you.

Options trading carries real risks — you can lose money faster than with stock trading — so Robinhood's review process exists to confirm you understand what you are doing. This guide walks you through the request process, what Robinhood looks for, and what happens if your request is denied.

Key Takeaways

  • You request options access by going to your Account settings, selecting Options, and answering questions about your trading experience and investment goals.
  • Robinhood reviews your request based on your account age, trading history, and your answers about whether you understand options risk.
  • Approval usually happens within hours, but Robinhood may ask follow-up questions or deny your request if your account is too new or your answers suggest you do not understand options mechanics.
  • If denied, you can request again after 30 days, and your chances improve if you have completed more stock trades or held your account longer.
  • Once approved, you still need to select which options level you want — Level 1 (covered calls and cash-secured puts) is the most restrictive, and Level 3 (spreads) is more advanced.

How to request options access in your Robinhood account

Open the Robinhood app or website and tap or click your account icon in the bottom right (app) or top left (website). Select Account, then scroll down and tap or click Options. You will see a button that says Request Options or Enable Options depending on whether you have ever requested before.

Tap or click that button. Robinhood will show you a series of questions about your trading experience, investment knowledge, and what you plan to do with options. Answer honestly — Robinhood can see your actual trading history in your account, so inconsistencies between your answers and your account activity can trigger a denial or a follow-up request for clarification.

The questions typically ask: How long have you been investing? Have you traded options before? Do you understand that options can expire worthless? Do you understand leverage and margin? What is your annual income and net worth? What are your investment goals? Some versions also ask you to identify what a call or put is, or to confirm you understand assignment risk.

What Robinhood reviews when you request options

Robinhood's system checks several things automatically. Your account must be at least 21 days old — brand-new accounts cannot get options access. The company also looks at your trading history: accounts with no trades, or only a handful of trades, are less likely to be approved than accounts showing consistent activity over weeks or months.

Your answers matter most. If you say you have never traded options but also say you understand spreads and iron condors, Robinhood may flag that as inconsistent. If you say your annual income is very low but your net worth is very high, or vice versa, the system may ask you to clarify. If your answers suggest you do not understand that options can expire worthless or that you can lose more than you invested (on certain strategies), Robinhood will likely deny the request.

Account standing also plays a role. If you have pending regulatory issues, a history of margin calls, or a pattern of day-trading violations, your request may be denied or delayed. Robinhood is less likely to approve options for accounts that have shown risky behavior in the past.

What to do if your options request is denied

If Robinhood denies your request, you will see a message explaining why. Common reasons include: your account is too new, your trading history is too thin, your answers suggested you do not understand options mechanics, or your account has regulatory flags.

You can request again after 30 days. Before you do, take steps to strengthen your process: make several stock trades to build a visible trading history, hold your account longer, and review options basics so you can answer questions more confidently. If the denial mentioned a specific concern — like not understanding assignment or expiration — focus on learning that topic before you request again.

You can also contact Robinhood support through the app or website to ask why you were denied and what you can do to improve your chances. Support cannot override the decision, but they can clarify what the system flagged and may suggest waiting a specific amount of time before requesting again.

Understanding options levels after approval

Once Robinhood approves your options request, you still need to choose which options level you want. This is different from approval — the level determines what strategies you can actually use.

Level 1 allows covered calls (selling calls on stock you own) and cash-secured puts (selling puts with cash set aside to buy the stock if assigned). These are the least risky options strategies because your downside is limited.

Level 2 adds long calls and long puts — buying options outright. Your loss is capped at what you paid for the option.

Level 3 adds spreads: bull calls, bear calls, bull puts, bear puts, and other multi-leg strategies. These are more complex and require understanding how the legs interact.

Level 4 adds naked calls and other uncovered strategies. Robinhood rarely approves Level 4, and it requires a much higher net worth and trading experience.

You choose your level during the approval process or afterward in your Account settings under Options. You can request a higher level later, and Robinhood will review that request separately.

Common reasons Robinhood denies options requests

Your account is less than 21 days old. Robinhood has a hard minimum here — no exceptions. If you just opened your account, wait at least three weeks before requesting.

Your answers do not match your account history. If you say you have traded options for years but your account shows no options trades, or if you say you understand spreads but have never placed a multi-leg trade, Robinhood will likely deny you. Be honest about your actual experience.

Your answers suggest you do not understand options risk. If you cannot correctly answer questions about expiration, assignment, or how much you can lose, Robinhood will deny the request. This is not a test you can fail and move on — it is a gate to prevent you from losing money on something you do not understand.

Your account has regulatory issues. Pattern day trading violations, margin calls, or other compliance flags can delay or block approval. If this is your situation, contact support to understand what needs to be resolved first.

What happens after you get options approval

Once approved, you can place options trades when ready. The Robinhood app will show an Options tab or button on the stock detail page. Tap or click it to see available calls and puts, their prices, expiration dates, and Greeks (delta, theta, gamma, vega — measures of how the option price moves).

You can place an order for any option within your approved level. Robinhood will show you the buying power required and any margin impact. Unlike stocks, options orders may take longer to fill because the options market is less liquid than the stock market — a bid-ask spread (the gap between buy and sell prices) is normal and often wider than you see with stocks.

Keep in mind that options expire. If you buy a call or put, it expires on a specific date — usually a Friday. If you do not close the position or exercise it before expiration, it becomes worthless (if out of the money) or is automatically exercised (if in the money). Robinhood sends reminders before expiration, but the responsibility is yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for options?

Most approvals happen within a few hours of submitting your request. Some take a few minutes. If Robinhood needs more information or has questions about your answers, it may take a day or two. If you do not hear back within 24 hours, check your email for a message from Robinhood asking for clarification.

Can I request options if I have never traded stocks before?

Technically yes, but you are very unlikely to be approved. Robinhood looks for evidence that you have actually traded, not just opened an account. Make several stock trades first — at least five to ten over a few weeks — before requesting options. This shows you understand how to place orders and manage positions.

What if I answer the questions wrong by accident?

If you realize you made a mistake after submitting, contact Robinhood support right away. Explain the error and ask if you can correct it before the review is complete. If your request was already denied, you can request again after 30 days with corrected answers.

Do I need margin to trade options on Robinhood?

Not for buying options outright — you pay the full price upfront. For selling options (covered calls, cash-secured puts, spreads), Robinhood requires either the stock you are covering the call with, or cash set aside for the put. Margin is not required for these strategies, though Robinhood may use margin to calculate buying power if your account has it enabled.

Can I request a higher options level after I am approved?

Yes. Go to your Account settings, select Options, and request a higher level. Robinhood will review your request based on your trading history since your first approval and your answers to new questions. If you have made several options trades and understand the mechanics of the higher level, you are more likely to be approved.