Absolutely not. When to sell such an option - and take your profits - is entirely up to you. On the one hand, continuing to hold the option until nearer its expiration date could result in your realizing an even larger profit.

But, on the other hand, an unexpected adverse price movement could result in a reduction in the value of the option. Deciding when to sell a profitable option is thus a "bird-in-the-hand' type of decision.

A somewhat technical point to bear in mind in making the decision is that in addition to whatever a given option would currently be worth to exercise, options that haven't yet expired may also have what's called 'time value'.

Example: With crude at $30 a gallon, a 1000 gallon crude oil call option with a strike price of $25 will be worth $5000 to exercise. But if it still has time remaining until expiration, you may be able to sell it for more than $5000 - the difference being its time value.

Specifically, time value is whatever amount other investors in the marketplace are willing to pay you - over and above what the option is currently worth to exercise - as additional compensation for giving up your option rights prior to expiration.  This will be reflected in the option premium. Your broker can explain in greater detail.