In order to enabled for portfolio margining an account must be approved for option trading and must have at least USD 100,000 in net liquidating equity. Account holders will also be required to acknowledge and sign the Portfolio Margin Risk Disclosure document and be bound by its terms.  

Portfolio margining may be requested through the on-line application phase (in the Account Configuration step)  or after the account has been approved. To apply once the account has already been approved, log into Account Management and select the Trading Access and then Trading Configuration menu items. There you may choose the portfolio margin treatment which will initiate the approval process.  Please note that requests are subject  to review  (generally a 1-2 day process) and may be declined for  various reasons  including a  projected increase  in margin  upon upgrade  from Reg T to Portfolio Margining.  Also note that accounts approved for portfolio margining but maintaining net liquidating equity below the USD 100,000 threshold will remain subject to Reg T margining and not have portfolio margining applied until such time the net liquidating value of the account exceeds USD 100,000.