Frequently Asked Questions On Membership

      1. What are the requirements for joining IEEE and am I eligible to join? 
      2. How to Join as a Student Member? 
      3. How to Join as a Member? 
      4. How to Qualify for the grade of Associate? 
      5. How to Apply for the grade of Senior Member? 
      6. How to Nominate a Fellow Member? 
      7. How to Qualify for Life Member? 
      8. How to Qualify for the grade of Honorary Member?


      Q. What are the requirements for joining IEEE and am I eligible to join? 

      A. IEEE membership is open to virtually anyone with an interest in engineering or computer science. So feel free to apply. The grade assigned to new members will vary depending on academic accomplishment and work experience. 
      Technical and non-technical applicants who would benefit by membership and participation in the IEEE enter as Associate members. Member and Senior Member grades recognize those who have achieved professional proficiency, as demonstrated by degrees received and/or work experience. IEEE Fellow grade is reserved for those members with unusual distinction in the profession and is conferred only by invitation of the Board of Directors. 
      Membership dues are the same for all members (except Students who pay substantially reduced membership dues) although Regional assessments vary depending upon where you live. Funds collected as Region assessments are returned to local entities to support meetings, newsletters and other Region-based member activities. All members receive the same benefits and services with the exception of voting privileges and holding elected office. These benefits are limited to those holding Member grade or higher. 


      Q. How to Join as a Student Member?

      A. You may join IEEE online or download a PDF application at http://www.ieee.org/join . To request a membership application by postal mail, e-mail your name, address and the type of application you need (student, member) to application-request@ieee.org . 
      To apply for student membership online: Click the "Begin Membership Application", and Select "Student Membership"


      Q. How to Join as a Member?

      A. You may join IEEE online or download a PDF application at http://www.ieee.org/join . To request a membership application by postal mail, e-mail your name, address and the type of application you need (student, member) to application-request@ieee.org . 
      To apply for student membership online: Click the "Begin Membership Application", and Select "Higher Grade Membership"


      Q. How to Qualify for the grade of Associate? 

      A. The grade of Associate is designed for technical and non technical applicants who do not presently meet the qualifications for Member grade, but who would benefit through membership and participation in the IEEE, and for those who are progressing, through continuing education and work experience, towards the qualifications for Member grade. 


      Q. How to Apply for the grade of Senior Member?

      A. Please click on one of the links below. 
            Guide to Applying for Senior Member Grade 
            Senior Member Application Form 
            Senior Member Reference Form 
            Senior Member Nomination Letter


      Q. How to Nominate a Fellow Member 

      A. Please click on one of the links below. 
            Electronic Fellow Nomination Process 
            Download Fellow Forms 
            Request Hard Copy 


      Q. How to Qualify for Life Member?

      A. The designation "Life Member" is applicable only to a member who has attained the age of 65 years and who has been a member of IEEE or one of its predecessor societies for such a period that the sum of his/her age and his/her years of membership equals or exceeds 100 years. All members having the designation "Life Member" or "Member-for-Life" in the predecessor societies shall be designated as a "Life Member" in the IEEE. 
      Any member who would have been qualified on or before 31 December 1963 to be a Member-for-Life of AIEE, under the rules of eligibility of AIEE, or to be a Life Member of IRE, under the rules of the IRE, shall be qualified to be a Life Member of IEEE. The Executive Director shall grant Life Membership status to any member who would qualify for Life Membership during the remainder of the transition period prior to 1998 under the previous IEEE Bylaw. Basic dues and assessments are waived for those achieving Life Member status. 


      Q. How to Qualify for the grade of Honorary Member? 

      A. Honorary Members are elected by the Board of Directors from among those individuals, not members of IEEE, who have rendered meritorious service to humanity in IEEE's designated fields of interest. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors present at the time of the vote, provided a quorum is present, is required for election at a regularly constituted meeting. 
      Honorary Members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the IEEE except the right to hold office therein, including the use of IEEE or IEEE Honorary Member in their signature blocks, and on business cards, letterheads and such.