Types of Membership

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STC is an individual membership organization dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of technical communication.

It is the largest organization of its type in the world.

Its 12,000 members worldwide include technical writers and editors, content developers, documentation specialists, technical illustrators, instructional designers, academics, information architects, usability and human factors professionals, visual designers, Web designers and developers, and translators - anyone whose work makes technical information available to those who need it.

Society membership provides opportunities for ongoing learning and professional networking. Through the efforts of a small, full-time staff and a large network of volunteers, STC promotes the public welfare by educating its members and industry about issues concerning technical communication.

Standard Member

Standard membership is open to all those interested in technical communication.

Senior Member

The grade of senior member is conferred automatically on each member after five years of Society membership.

Super SIG Package

Includes membership in all SIG and online publications.

Retired Member

To be eligible for Retired Membership, and applicant must be:

Student Member

To be eligible for student membership, an applicant must be:

  1. Enrolled in an accredited university, college, community college, or technical school;
  2. Taking at least two courses or the equivalent each term
  3. Preparing for a career in technical communication

In addition to the membership grades, STC bestows three elective, honorary ranks.

Associate Fellow

The rank of associate fellow is conferred only upon a senior member who has attained distinction in the field of technical communication. Senior members may not apply for the rank of associate fellow; they must be nominated by a committee composed of fellows and associate fellows.

Fellow

The rank of fellow is conferred only upon associate fellows who have attained such eminence in the field of technical communication that the board, by a two-thirds vote of all members, deems them worthy of being singled out as one of the select few who have distinguished the Society and the profession. Associate fellows apply for the rank of fellow, to a committee of fellows, who in turn nominate those qualified to the Board.

Honorary Fellow

The rank of honorary fellow is conferred upon a person who is not a member of the Society but who has achieved eminence in the field of technical communication.