To qualify for membership, you must devote a substantial portion of time (at least 50%) to the paid professional practice of public relations* or to the teaching or administration of public relations curriculum in an Accredited college or university and adhere to the PRSA Member Code of Ethics. If you are currently not employed, a position held within the last five years must meet the above requirement, or you must have one of the following: a degree in public relations; another academic degree from a program which meets the standards for a PRSSA Charter or a program that has received PRSA Certification for Education in Public Relations; or you have achieved Accreditation in Public Relations.
*This includes any combination of the following functions:
Community relations...consumer affairs/public affairs...employee relations...financial communications/investor relations...government relations...institutional/corporate advertising...marketing communications...media relations...public relations counseling...public relations management/administration...public relations teaching...research...special events...other.
You may join as an individual Member, as one of four types of Associate members, as part of a group or as a retired professional. PRSA membership is not transferable (unless joining as part of a group; see below for details):
First time Full Member (M)
Two or more years experience in public relations:
- $290 ($65 Initiation Fee and $225 Annual Dues)
- Chapter dues: $40 annual dues
Associate Member
Associate members do not pay initiation fees--a $65 savings! In addition, the PRSA Greater Salt Lake Chapter voted to permanently reduce its annual membership dues. New and renewing members who join at the associate level will pay $25 per year.
The best time to save on your PRSA membership is in the first year of professional experience. We recognize associate members add new perspectives to our Chapter, and we want to help you develop a greater understanding of the profession while building your career. To become a member of the Greater Salt Lake Chapter, you must first be a national member. PRSA National offers the following reduced rates to new members with two or fewer years of professional experience:
Associate Member, less than one year experience in public relations (AM1)
AM1 members are automatically upgraded to AM2 member after one year of membership Dues: $115 per year.
Associate Member, less than two years experience in public relations (AM2)
AM2 members are automatically upgraded to Member after one year of membership. Dues: $155 per year.
Associate Member, PRSSA Graduate (AMPG) (Click here for special application)
As of November 2006, PRSSA members can join PRSA up to five months before their graduation. You must be an active PRSSA member at the time of graduation or at the time you apply if before your graduation, and your application must be submitted within two years of the date you graduate. You may remain an AMPG member for up to two years and will then automatically be upgraded to Member. Dues: $60 per year.
Associate Member, Graduate Student (AMGS)
You must be enrolled full-time in an advanced degree program for the purpose of teaching or practicing public relations. Proof of full-time matriculation is required and must be submitted with your application. You may remain an AMGS member for a maximum of six years, as long as you are a full-time student. Dues: $60 per year.
Group Membership
Groups of ten or more individuals from the same organization receive special rates on dues (for the first year) along with other financial incentives when they join as a group. Package options include PRSA National plus Chapter membership, or PRSA National plus Professional Interest Section membership. The group may include new or former PRSA members. All members of the group must join as the same member type: Member or Associate (less than two years' experience). Up to two individuals in each group of ten may be current PRSA members rolled in to the group. Group members need not all be at the same location or in the same state. Group memberships are individual (not corporate) memberships, but are transferable between members of the organization. Members of a group receive all PRSA member benefits. For more information about group membership please
e-mail us.
Retired Members
Members who have retired from full time employment may switch to retired member status if they are working less than 20 hours a week without the intent of returning to work full time, and have been a PRSA member in good standing for five or more consecutive years. Individuals may not join PRSA as retired members.
National dues for retired members are $50 per year. Retired members continue to receive all member benefits. Chapter and Professional Interest Section dues are additional. Some Chapters charge reduced dues for retired members, and retired members pay $15 per year for Professional Interest Sections (excluding Counselors Academy). Contact Member Services at 212-460-1400 or e-mail us with any questions.
