YRM Prop 50K Starter Challenge Rules 2026

The $50,000 Starter Challenge is YRM Prop's entry-level evaluation account and the most popular choice for traders new to the firm. At just $37 per month (with current promotional pricing), it's one of the most affordable paths to funded trading in the futures prop space. But affordable doesn't mean easy — you still need to hit a $3,000 profit target while managing a $2,000 static drawdown and meeting a 50% consistency requirement.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 50K Starter Challenge: exact profit targets, drawdown calculations, position sizing limits, consistency rules, and the strategies that actually work to pass the evaluation and move to a Prime funded account.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on current YRM Prop 50K challenge rules. Things can change — for the absolute latest, check YRM Prop's website or help center.

YRM Prop 50K Starter Challenge Overview

The 50K Starter Challenge is a one-step evaluation designed for traders who want to prove their skills without the complexity of multi-phase programs. Unlike firms that require you to pass two or three separate challenges, YRM Prop's model lets you move directly from evaluation to funded status in a single phase.

Quick stats:

• Account size: $50,000 simulated capital
• Pricing: $37/month (promotional), regular $149/month
• Profit target: $3,000 (6% of account balance)
• Maximum drawdown: $2,000 (4% of account balance)
• Drawdown type: Static (doesn't trail profits)
• Time limit: None (unlimited time to pass)
• Minimum trading days: 2 days
• Consistency rule: 50% (no single day >50% of total profits)
• Daily loss limit: None

Compare this to the 100K Starter Challenge and 150K Starter Challenge to see if a larger account makes sense for your strategy.

50K Starter Challenge Pricing & Fees

YRM Prop uses a subscription model for the Starter Challenge, which differs from the one-time fee structure of most prop firms.

Why the subscription model matters:

• Lower pressure: You're not risking $150-$300 on a single attempt
• Multiple tries: Keep trading until you pass (as long as subscription is active)
• Budget-friendly: $37/month is accessible for most traders
• Cancel anytime: If you don't pass, cancel without long-term commitment

Apply YRM Prop discount codes to save even more. Full pricing comparison in our Starter Challenge pricing guide.

Profit Target: $3,000 to Pass

To successfully complete the 50K Starter Challenge, you must achieve $3,000 in cumulative profits. This represents a 6% return on the initial account balance.

Profit target breakdown:

• Total required: $3,000
• Percentage: 6% of $50,000
• Calculation: Account must reach $53,000 to pass
• Net of commissions: Profit is calculated after trading commissions

Important notes:

• Profits don't need to be achieved in a specific timeframe
• No requirement to hold profits for X number of days
• Can be achieved across 2 days minimum
• Commissions are deducted from gross profits

Realistic timeline expectations:

• Aggressive traders: 5-10 trading days
• Conservative traders: 15-30 trading days
• Part-time traders: 30-60 trading days

Compare to Instant Prime accounts which have no profit targets but stricter ongoing rules.

Maximum Drawdown: $2,000 Static Limit

The 50K Starter Challenge uses a $2,000 maximum drawdown calculated as a static threshold that doesn't trail your profits. This is one of the most trader-friendly features of YRM Prop's challenge structure.

How Static Drawdown Works

Unlike trailing drawdown models, YRM Prop's static drawdown remains fixed at your starting balance minus the drawdown limit.

Example scenario:

• Day 1: Start at $50,000, breach level at $48,000
• Day 5: Account grows to $52,000, breach level STILL at $48,000
• Day 10: Account at $55,000, breach level STILL at $48,000
• Pass challenge: Account hits $53,000, breach level never changed

Why this matters:

• More room to trade as you build profits
• Profits don't lock in higher risk thresholds
• Gives traders breathing room for recovery
• More forgiving than competitors' trailing models

Learn more about YRM Prop's drawdown calculation methods and how static vs trailing drawdown affects your trading.

No Daily Loss Limit (Huge Advantage)

Most prop firms enforce strict daily loss limits that can end your trading day prematurely. YRM Prop's 50K Starter Challenge has NO daily loss limit, which is a massive competitive advantage.

What this means:

• Trade without fear of hitting an arbitrary daily cap
• Recover from morning losses in the afternoon session
• No "dead days" where you're locked out after one bad trade
• Only the overall $2,000 max drawdown matters

Comparison to competitors:

• Topstep 50K: ~$1,000 daily loss limit
• Apex 50K: No daily limit (similar to YRM)
• Take Profit Trader 50K: Varies by account type

Full comparison in our YRM Prop vs Topstep and YRM Prop vs Apex articles.

Consistency Rule: 50% Maximum Per Day

The 50K Starter Challenge requires that no single trading day can account for more than 50% of your total profits. This prevents traders from passing the challenge based on one lucky day.

How it works:

• Calculate total cumulative profits
• Check largest single-day profit
• Ensure that day doesn't exceed 50% of total

Example:

If your total profits are $3,000:

• Maximum allowed from one day: $1,500 (50% of $3,000)
• If one day contributed: $1,800 → Violation
• Result: Must continue trading to dilute that percentage below 50%

Strategies to maintain consistency:

• Target $200-$400 daily profits (spread across multiple days)
• Avoid going for home runs on single trades
• If you have a big day, trade smaller the next few days
• Track your daily P&L percentage vs total profits

More details in our YRM Prop consistency rules guide.

Position Sizing & Contract Limits

The 50K account has specific limits on how many contracts you can hold simultaneously.

Position sizing examples:

• ✅ Allowed: 5 ES contracts
• ✅ Allowed: 50 MES contracts
• ✅ Allowed: 2 ES + 30 MES (equivalent to 5 minis)
• ❌ Violation: 6 NQ contracts (exceeds 5 mini limit)
• ❌ Violation: 5 ES + 50 MES (exceeds combined limit)

See the complete list of approved products at YRM Prop and maximum contract rules.

Minimum Trading Days: Just 2 Days Required

To pass the 50K Starter Challenge, you must complete a minimum of 2 trading days before your account is eligible for review.

What counts as a trading day:

• At least one executed trade during active hours
• Trade can be profitable or unprofitable
• Must be 6:00 PM – 4:15 PM EST (next day)

Important: This is different from the 10 profitable days requirement for payouts after you're funded. The 2-day minimum is just for challenge eligibility.

Fastest possible pass:

• Day 1: Make $1,500
• Day 2: Make $1,500
• Total: $3,000 profit in 2 days
• Result: Passed (assuming 50% consistency met)

Trading Rules & Restrictions

Allowed Trading Hours

• Active window: 6:00 PM – 4:15 PM EST (next day)
• Mandatory flat: All positions must be closed by 4:15 PM EST
• Weekend holding: Not permitted
• Overnight positions: Allowed Mon-Fri within active window

Full details: YRM Prop trading hours and overnight position rules.

News Trading Restrictions

Cannot trade 2 minutes before or after major economic releases. This includes:

• NFP (Non-Farm Payroll)
• FOMC announcements
• CPI/PPI reports
• GDP releases

See our news trading policy guide for complete calendar and strategies.

Prohibited Trading Strategies

• ❌ Martingale or grid trading
• ❌ Arbitrage strategies
• ❌ High-frequency trading (HFT)
• ❌ Fully automated bots/EAs
• ❌ VPN or VPS usage
• ❌ Multi-prop hedging

Complete list: Prohibited strategies at YRM Prop.

Platforms & Data Feeds

The 50K Starter Challenge can be traded on:

• Volumetrica (DeepCharts): Web-based and desktop
• Quantower: Desktop platform

Data feeds:

• DxFeed
• CQG
• Marex

Setup guides: Volumetrica setup and Quantower setup.

After Passing: Prime Account Activation

Once you hit $3,000 in profits while maintaining all rules, you receive a Prime funded account.

Prime account benefits:

• Profit split: 90/10 (you keep 90%)
• Payout frequency: Every 10 trading days
• Activation fee: $0 (current promo, regular $99)
• Account balance: Starts at $50,000
• Drawdown type: Changes to trailing EOD

Learn more: Prime account rules and Prime account scaling.

Strategies to Pass the 50K Challenge

1. Target Consistent Daily Profits

Aim for $200-$400 per day over 10-15 trading days:

• Avoids consistency rule violations
• Builds sustainable trading habits
• Reduces pressure for home runs

2. Respect the Static Drawdown

Your breach level never moves from $48,000:

• Use this to your advantage
• Build buffer as profits grow
• Don't get reckless with larger P&L

3. Trade High-Probability Setups Only

With no time limit:

• Wait for A+ setups
• Skip choppy or unclear markets
• Quality over quantity

4. Track Daily P&L Percentage

• Maintain spreadsheet of daily profits
• Calculate each day's % of total
• Ensure no single day exceeds 50%

5. Use Micros for Consistency

Trading 10-20 MES contracts:

• Smaller dollar risk per tick
• Easier to hit $200-$300 targets
• More forgiving for new traders

Full strategy guide: How to pass YRM Prop Starter Challenge.

50K vs 25K Instant Prime: Which is Better?

Comparing the subscription-based 50K Starter Challenge to the one-time-fee 25K Instant Prime:

Choose 50K Starter if:

• You want lower upfront cost ($37 vs $399)
• You're confident you can pass quickly
• You prefer static drawdown during eval

Choose 25K Instant Prime if:

• You want immediate funding
• You have proven strategy ready
• You prefer 20% consistency (more lenient)

Full comparison: Starter Challenge vs Instant Prime and 25K Instant Prime rules.

YRM Prop 50K Starter Challenge FAQ

How much does the YRM Prop 50K Starter Challenge cost?

The 50K Starter Challenge costs $37 per month with current promotional pricing (regular price $149/month). This is a subscription model, so you pay monthly until you pass. There's also a $0 activation fee when you pass (launch promo, regular $99). See YRM Prop Starter Challenge pricing for complete costs.

What is the profit target for the 50K challenge?

You need to achieve $3,000 in cumulative profits to pass the 50K Starter Challenge. This represents a 6% return on the initial $50,000 balance. Profits are calculated net of commissions, and there's no time limit to achieve this target.

What is the maximum drawdown on the 50K account?

The maximum drawdown is $2,000 (4% of the starting balance). Your breach level is fixed at $48,000 and does NOT trail your profits during the challenge phase. This static drawdown gives you more room to trade as you build profits. Learn more: YRM Prop max drawdown rules.

Is there a daily loss limit on the 50K Starter Challenge?

No, there is NO daily loss limit during the Starter Challenge. You only need to respect the overall $2,000 maximum drawdown. This is a huge advantage compared to firms that enforce strict daily caps. See: YRM Prop daily loss limit.

How many contracts can I trade on the 50K account?

You can trade up to 5 mini contracts (ES, NQ, etc.) OR 50 micro contracts (MES, MNQ, etc.). The equivalency is 1 mini = 10 micros, so you can't hold 5 minis AND 50 micros simultaneously. Full details: YRM Prop maximum contracts.

What is the consistency rule for the 50K challenge?

No single trading day can account for more than 50% of your total profits. For example, if your total profit is $3,000, no single day can contribute more than $1,500. This prevents traders from passing based on one lucky day. Complete guide: YRM Prop consistency rules.

How long does it take to pass the 50K Starter Challenge?

There's no time limit. The minimum is 2 trading days, but most traders take 10-30 days depending on their strategy and risk tolerance. Aggressive traders can pass in 5-10 days, while conservative traders may take 30-60 days. See strategies: How to pass YRM Prop challenge.

What happens after I pass the 50K challenge?

You receive a Prime funded account starting at $50,000 with a 90/10 profit split (you keep 90%). Payouts are available every 10 trading days, and there's currently a $0 activation fee (regular $99). The drawdown changes from static to trailing EOD once funded. Learn more: Prime account rules.

Can I trade overnight on the 50K Starter Challenge?

Yes, you can hold positions overnight Monday-Friday within the 6:00 PM – 4:15 PM EST trading window. All positions must be closed by 4:15 PM EST daily and cannot be held over weekends. Details: YRM Prop overnight position rules.

What trading platforms are available for the 50K account?

The 50K Starter Challenge can be traded on Volumetrica (DeepCharts) or Quantower platforms. Data feeds include DxFeed, CQG, and Marex. Setup guides: Volumetrica setup and Quantower setup.

Is the 50K Starter Challenge better than Instant Prime?

It depends on your goals. The 50K Starter Challenge costs $37/month and requires passing a $3K profit target but offers static drawdown. The 25K Instant Prime costs $399 one-time with no evaluation but has trailing drawdown and only $25K starting capital. Compare: Starter Challenge vs Instant Prime.

Can I have multiple 50K Starter Challenge accounts?

Yes, you can have unlimited Challenge accounts simultaneously. However, once funded, you're limited to 3 Prime accounts total (any combination of account sizes). Maximum combined capital is $450,000. See: YRM Prop maximum accounts.