There shall be three categories of membership.  Application for membership shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary for review, approval, and referral to the appropriate Regional Secretary.  Annual dues can be received online, at Regional trainings and through the Executive Secretary and/or Executive Treasurer.  Each membership category shall have the following requirements and the membership term will be yearly from
July 1st to June 30th.  The amount of annual membership dues shall be set by the Board and be equal for both Active and Associate members.

1.   ACTIVE members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership in the Association, including the right to vote. Active members are:

a.   full-time sworn peace officers, from within or outside the United States of America; except, however, that no active member employed full-time outside the State of California shall hold office.

b.   full-time non-sworn officers, examples include community service officers or dispatchers.

c.   individuals who have an association with law enforcement directly related to crisis/hostage negotiations.  The association may be one of consultant, clergy, or contract-provided service(s), or similar. 
Examples include mental health professionals, or Reserve Peace officers.

d.   individuals who have a professional interest in crisis/hostage negotiations, and their membership will benefit the Association as well as themselves. 
Examples include retirees who qualified for membership prior to their retirement.

e.   Active members may attend Association meetings, at their own expense, but shall not have the right to vote.  Prior notice must be received no later than one week prior to the date of the board meeting to ensure adequate provisions are made with the venue.

2.   ASSOCIATE members are those individuals who are employees of firms that provide equipment and services to negotiation teams, telephone company liaison to law enforcement, or other technical specialists.

          Persons applying for Associate Membership shall submit their application to the Executive Secretary for review, approval or denial, based on criteria as noted above.  

          Associate members may attend Association meetings and functions but shall not have the right to vote or hold office and may not attend or participate in meetings and functions in which confidential matters (as determined by the Board) are discussed or presented.

       Associate members may attend Association meetings, at their own expense, but shall not have the right to vote.  Prior notice must be received no later than one week prior to the date of the board meeting to ensure adequate provisions are made with the venue.

3.  HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIPS are of two types:

       The first category are those granted by the Board to those persons, who, in their opinion, have rendered outstanding service to the Association or to the field of Crisis/Hostage Negotiation, or who, by virtue of their contributions to the discipline of crisis/hostage/ negotiation, have been deemed worthy of life membership. Honorary Life Memberships shall be granted only after a thorough evaluation by the Board of the prospective member reveals that such service has been rendered voluntarily, altruistically or without consideration of personal gain.                                                                                                                        

      The second category is known as the President’s Award and will be given only at the discretion of the Board and only to person’s who have completed at least two full terms as the Association President and given upon vacating the office of President.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

4.   Honorary Life members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership in this Association and are not required to pay annual dues.