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Floating profit when you hit the target: does it count toward passing?

This comes up a lot. You're in a trade, equity crosses the profit target, and you're wondering whether you've passed or whether you need to close the trade first.

It depends on the firm. Some measure the target on closed balance, so you only pass when the profit is realised. Others measure on equity, and you pass the moment equity crosses the line, sometimes with a requirement that all positions are closed afterwards. A few have additional conditions, like a minimum number of trading days or a consistency rule, that must also be met before the pass is confirmed.

The risk is assuming you've passed while still holding. If the firm counts closed balance and the trade reverses before you close, you haven't passed, and you might even take a loss that pushes you further away. And in rare cases, if the firm counts equity but the trade then hits a daily loss limit before you close, you could breach after technically touching the target.

What I'd do once equity is near the target: close the position and confirm the balance has crossed it. Then check the dashboard to see that the pass is recorded and that no other conditions are outstanding.

I'd treat the pass as done only once it shows on the dashboard. A floating number doesn't count until then.

A related edge case is commission and swap. If the target is measured on balance, the commission charged on closing might take the final figure slightly under the target even when the equity number looked like it was above. It's small, but it can be the difference between passing and needing another trade. I'd give myself a little margin above the target before closing, so costs don't leave the balance just short. Some dashboards also update with a delay, so give it a moment. A few pips of buffer is usually enough.

Another question to check with the firm: after passing, are you allowed to keep trading on the evaluation account, and does anything you do after passing count? Some firms lock the account, others let you keep trading but any breach before the funded account is issued can cancel the pass. If you're used to trading every day, it's tempting to keep going while you wait. I'd stop trading on that account once the target is confirmed, to avoid any chance of a breach on a technicality. The firm's FAQ usually spells out what happens in that gap between passing and getting the funded account.