Created an account at TD Ameritrade to use the thinkorswim platform to trade options. Annoyingly, I can't get TD Ameritrade to approve my account for options level 2 for the life of me. But when I was browsing around the thinkorswim desktop platform, it seemed like I was nevertheless allowed to place spreads, butterflys, etc. So even if I'm only approved for options level 1 in my TDA account, as long as I use the thinkorswim account, will I be able to perform spreads? (or at the minimum, purchase options?)
Clients will be authorized to trade options after being reviewed based on experience and financial background among other criteria. As long as you are approved by thinkorswim, you can trade any strategy supported by thinkorswim. We do not have trading levels. We believe all customers should have the same trading opportunities. https://www.thinkorswim.com/tos/displayFaq.tos;jsessionid=DD8FD13366A0ABFE4810618C2F3F8E99 It appears that if their FAQ is up to date then you can trade spreads.