Introduction: The Big Question Every New Trader Asks
The idea of trading with someone else’s money is exciting, especially for beginners. Prop firms allow you to do just that by offering access to capital without needing to invest your own savings. But one question comes up again and again: How long does it actually take to start making money with a prop firm?
The answer isn’t the same for everyone. It depends on your skill level, learning pace, the firm you choose, and even how much time you can dedicate to trading. In this article, we’ll break it down step by step to give you a realistic idea of what to expect and how to speed up the journey.
1. The Learning Curve: 1 to 6 Months
If you’re brand new to trading, your first goal shouldn’t be making money. It should be learning how the markets work and building solid habits. Most beginners spend anywhere from one to six months understanding basic concepts like:
- What is forex, crypto, or stock trading?
- How do you read charts and price action?
- What is risk management, and why does it matter?
During this time, many aspiring traders start with demo accounts or low-capital trading to practice without pressure. You’ll also want to explore different strategies and tools to see what fits your personality and schedule.
Tip: Don’t rush this phase. A strong foundation will help you pass prop firm challenges faster later on.
2. Choosing the Right Prop Firm: 1 to 2 Weeks
Once you feel comfortable with your trading basics, the next step is finding the right prop firm. This part may not take long, but it’s incredibly important.
Spend at least one or two weeks comparing firms. Look at:
- Evaluation rules and difficulty
- Payout systems and timing
- Platform and broker quality
- Allowed strategies and trading hours
Choosing a firm that matches your strengths can reduce your challenge time and increase your chances of long-term success.
3. Preparing for the Challenge: 2 to 8 Weeks
If the firm uses a two-phase evaluation model (which many do), passing it requires discipline and strategy. Even if you’re confident in your skills, it helps to treat the challenge seriously and prepare for it as if it were live trading.
This stage typically lasts two to eight weeks, depending on how often you trade and how consistent your results are. Some firms allow you to trade at your own pace, while others set a fixed deadline.
Tip: Use a practice account that mimics the challenge rules. This gives you a better feel for how to hit targets while staying within drawdown limits.
4. Passing the Challenge and Getting Funded: 2 to 4 Weeks
Let’s say you’re ready. You pay for a challenge account and start trading. If all goes well, you could finish both phases in as little as two weeks. However, many traders take longer, especially if they play it safe.
After passing the challenge, the firm will usually take a few business days to verify your trades, complete KYC (Know Your Customer) checks, and deliver your funded account credentials. The entire process, from challenge start to being funded, might take between two and four weeks on average.
5. Reaching Your First Payout: 2 to 4 More Weeks
Just because you’re funded doesn’t mean you earn money right away. Most prop firms require you to trade for a set number of days before becoming eligible for a payout. For many firms, this period is around 10 to 30 trading days.
Let’s say you receive your funded account on August 1. If the first payout is allowed after 14 trading days, and you trade five days per week, you could get paid by around August 20.
Of course, you still need to stay within the rules, avoid losses, and generate profits. If you do that, your first real payout could happen within one month of being funded.
Additionally, some new-generation firms offer on-demand payouts after just five trading days, allowing you to request your share of profits in as little as one week. These options can significantly shorten your wait time if you’re already trading consistently.
6. Common Roadblocks That Might Delay You
While some traders start earning within 2 to 3 months, others take longer. Here are some reasons for delay:
- Failing the challenge and needing a retry
- Overtrading or breaking rules
- Poor risk management
- Lack of consistency in strategy
Also, external factors like job schedules or emotional stress can slow your progress. Don’t be discouraged, most successful traders go through setbacks before they reach stability.
7. How to Speed Up Your Progress
While there’s no magic shortcut, there are ways to reduce the time it takes to start earning:
- Stick to one strategy and master it instead of switching too often
- Journal your trades to learn from mistakes
- Stay within risk limits to avoid challenge failure
- Choose a firm with fast payouts and realistic rules
Also, consider joining a trading community or hiring a coach. Feedback from experienced traders can make a big difference.
So, What’s the Final Answer?
If we add everything up:
- Learning basics: 1–6 months
- Preparing and passing challenge: 1–2 months
- Getting funded and first payout: 1 month
In total, a beginner could start earning with a prop firm in as little as 3 months, though 4 to 6 months is a more realistic average for most people. Some may take longer, and that’s perfectly fine.
The key is not to chase a timeline, but to focus on steady progress. Every step you take, whether it’s passing a challenge or managing your emotions, builds toward long-term success.
Conclusion: It’s a Journey, Not a Race
Starting to earn with a prop firm is possible even for complete beginners. But it’s not something that happens overnight. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to grow through trial and error.
The good news is that you don’t need a huge bank account or years of experience to begin. With the right mindset, proper preparation, and smart decisions, you can move from beginner to funded trader in a matter of months.
Instead of asking how fast you can start earning, ask how well you can prepare. Focus on becoming the kind of trader that a good prop firm would be proud to fund and the rest will follow.
