Membership Categories

Full Member: Any person who has a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and five full-time years of applicable experience in human factors work shall be eligible to become a Full Member of the Society. Appropriate academic degrees beyond the bachelor's degree may be substituted in part for work experience up to a total of four years. Interpretation of applicable academic degrees and work experience shall be made by the Membership Admissions Committee. For exceptional applicants, the requirement for a bachelor's degree may be waived by a three-fourths vote of the full Executive Council. Go to Full Member Application.

Associate: Any person who has two years of full-time, relevant experience in the human factors/ergonomics field and is active in the human factors/ergonomics field shall be eligible to become an Associate of the Society. Go to Associate Member Application.

Affiliate: Any person who is interested in the human factors field, but who does not qualify for Full Member or Associate status, shall be eligible to become an Affiliate of the Society. Affiliate Members may serve on appointed committees and are entitled to publications and discounts but may not vote, hold office, or represent themselves as full Members of the Society. Go to Affiliate Member Application.

Student Affiliate: Any person who is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university and is not working full time shall be eligible to become a Student Affiliate of the Society. Student Affiliate membership requires an endorser: a faculty member from the student's institution. Go to Student Affiliate Application.

Special Membership Categories

Qualifications for any special class of membership, such as Fellow or Emeritus Member, shall be established by the Executive Council. Members who wish to support HFES by voluntarily increasing their annual dues payment may be eligible for designation as Contributing, Supporting, and Sustaining Affiliates, Associates, Members, and Fellows.

Sustaining Member: Any person, corporation, or organization that contributes to the Society an amount prescribed by the Executive Council shall be eligible to become a Sustaining Member of the Society. Sustaining membership is open to individuals for a minimum fee. Corporate sustaining membership is available to companies interested in supporting the profession and the Society. Go to the Sustaining Membership Page.

Emeritus Membership: Those who have been Full Members and Fellows in the Society for at least the preceding 10 years, who are over 65 (or under 65 and disabled), and who no longer derive their principal income from the practice of human factors are invited to apply for Emeritus Membership. For a one-time payment, Emeritus Members receive the HFES Bulletin free of charge and receive substantial discounts on other HFES periodicals.

For additional information on sustaining and Emeritus memberships and their benefits, please contact the HFES Director of Member Services at HFES Headquarters.