Without bending the rules or lying on an application form, I believe it is hard for a newbie/inexperienced trader to obtain options trading privileges to trade spreads. Even if I can convince the brokerage about the strengths of my strategy, my risk management techniques, scaling in/out of trades, position sizing etc., the requirements in most cases of vast experience, annual income, age, net worth etc. precludes me from getting the Level 3/4 option trading permissions I need. (I currently have Level 2 with TDA). My questions is this: is it legal/ethical/possible to piggyback on another individual/firm to obtain the higher levels of trading privileges?