IEEE Bylaws

I-104.  Qualifications
 

1. Honorary Members.    The title of Honorary Member may be conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors on 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 IEEE Board of Directors present at the time of the vote, provided a quorum is present, shall be required for conferment at a regularly constituted meeting.
   
   

2. Fellow.  The grade of Fellow recognizes unusual distinction in the profession and shall be conferred by the Board of Directors upon a person with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest (Bylaw I-104.11). The accomplishments that are being honored shall have contributed importantly to the advancement or application of engineering, science and technology, bringing the realization of significant value to society. The candidate shall hold Senior Member grade at the time the nomination is submitted and shall have been a member in good standing in any grade for a period of five years or more preceding 1 January of the year of election. The year of election to the grade of Fellow is the year following approval by the Board of Directors conferring the grade of Fellow. Members elected to the Fellow grade may use the title immediately following approval by the Board of Directors. All those elected will receive a certificate and pin.
   

3. Senior Member.   The grade of Senior Member is the highest for which application may be made and shall require experience reflecting professional maturity. For admission or transfer to the grade of Senior Member, a candidate shall be an engineer, scientist, educator, technical executive, or originator in IEEE-designated fields (Bylaw I-104.11).
   
   The candidate shall have been in professional practice for at least ten years and shall have shown significant performance over a period of at least five of those years, such performance including one or more of the following:
   
   

   (a)	Substantial responsibility or achievement in one or more of IEEE-designated fields; or
   (b)	Publication of papers, books, or inventions in one or more of IEEE-designated fields; or
   (c)	Technical direction or management of important work with evidence of accomplishment in one or more of IEEE-designated fields; or
   (d)	Recognized contributions to the welfare of the professions encompassed by one or more of the IEEE-designated fields; or
   (e)	Development or furtherance of important courses in one or more of the IEEE-designated fields at an institution; or
   (f)	Contributions equivalent to those of (a) to (e) in areas related to IEEE-designated fields, provided these contributions serve to advance progress substantially in IEEE-designated fields.

   
   
4. Member.   The grade of Member is limited to those who have satisfied IEEE-specified educational requirements and/or who have demonstrated professional competence in IEEE-designated fields of interest.  For admission or transfer to the grade of Member, a candidate shall be either
   
   

   (a)	An individual who shall have received a three-to-five year university-level or higher degree (i) from an accredited institution or program and (ii) in an IEEE-designated field, both of which are defined in IEEE Bylaw I-104.11; or
   (b)	An individual who shall have received a three-to-five year university-level or higher degree from an accredited institution or program and who has at least three years of professional work experience engaged in teaching, creating, developing, practicing or managing in IEEE-designated fields; or
   (c)	An individual who, through at least six years of professional work experience, has demonstrated competence in teaching, creating, developing, practicing or managing within IEEE-designated fields.

    
5. Associate Member.   The grade of Associate Member is designed for technical and non-technical applicants who do not 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.
   
   
6. Graduate Student Member.
   
   

   (a)	A Graduate Student Member must qualify for Member grade and carry at least 50% of a normal full-time academic program as a registered graduate student in a regular course of study in IEEE-designated fields.  The total cumulative period for a member to hold the Student Member grade and/or the Graduate Student Member grade shall be limited to 8 years.
   (b)	Graduate Student Members, upon graduation or upon reaching the total cumulative 8-year limit as a Student Member and/or Graduate Student Member (whichever occurs first), shall be transferred to Member grade.

   
   
7. Student Member.
   
   

   (a)	A Student Member must satisfy the following conditions (1) carry at least 50% of a normal full-time academic program as a registered undergraduate or graduate student in a regular course of study in IEEE-designated fields; and (2) not yet qualify for Member grade. The total cumulative period for a member to hold the Student Member grade and/or the Graduate Student Member grade shall be limited to 8 years.
   (b)	Student Members, upon graduation or upon reaching the 8-year limit (whichever occurs first), with at least a baccalaureate or higher degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution in an IEEE-designated field shall be transferred to Member grade.
   (c)	Student Members other than those qualifying under subparagraph (b), upon graduation or upon reaching the 8-year limit (whichever occurs first) shall be transferred to Associate Member grade.

      
   
8. Course Completion Equivalent.   Graduation from a course of at least 18 months duration of study in a curriculum related to IEEE-designated fields may be accepted as equivalent to one year's professional experience.
   
   
9. Graduate Work Equivalent.   Full-time graduate work, or part-time graduate work with teaching or research, in IEEE-designated fields, may be accepted as equivalent to professional experience.
   
   
10. Time Requirements.   The time requirements for admission or transfer to any grade of membership may be satisfied by applying pro rata the experience of the candidate under the various alternative requirements for the grade.
    
    
11. The IEEE-designated fields are:
    
    
    • Engineering;
    • Computer sciences and information technology;
    • Biological and medical sciences;
    • Mathematics;
    • Physical sciences;
    • Technical communications, education, management, law and policy.
    
    Revisions to IEEE-designated fields shall be by action of the IEEE Board of Directors upon recommendation by the IEEE Technical Activities Board.An accredited institution or program signifies that a governmental or non-governmental entity has attested to the adequate quality of the academic enterprise.
    
    
12. Exchange Member.   To qualify for admission as an Exchange Member, the applicant shall be a member in good standing of a technical or scientific society recognized by the IEEE Board of Directors for Exchange Membership privileges, provided such privileges are reciprocally offered to IEEE members by the society so recognized.
    
    
13. Statement of Non-Prejudice.  Admission to membership in IEEE in any grade shall not be affected by the race, religion, nationality, or sex of the applicant.
    
    
14. Member Obligations and Standing.

    1.   Membership in IEEE in any grade shall carry the obligation to:

    	(a)	Abide by the IEEE Constitution, Code of Ethics, Bylaws and Policies;
    	(b)	Support the enhancement of IEEE principles, objectives and activities; and
    	(c)	Meet the monetary obligations required for membership such as the payment of dues and applicable assessments. In addition, Life Members shall be obligated to confirm annually the desire to continue to receive services and publication(s) to which they are entitled.

    2.   Member In Good Standing.

    	(a)	When applied to an IEEE member, the term member in good standing shall mean an IEEE member of any grade who is not under suspension.
    	(b)	When applied to a member of another technical or scientific society, the term member in good standing shall adopt the meaning of the term as it is used by that specific society.

      
    
15. Suspended Member Privileges.   Members under IEEE suspension shall be regarded as members not in good standing and, for the period of their suspension, denied member privileges with the exception of member insurance benefits.