Who may apply?
Membership is open to all who are interested in, or are involved in technical communication of any kind.
To find out more about what you get by becoming a member, see our membership benefits page.
Code of professional practice
Remember that by applying for membership of the ISTC, you are agreeing to adhere to our code of professional practice, and other policies and regulations of the Institute. These can be accessed from the ISTC Council page.
How to apply
1. Identify your membership grade
Identify the most appropriate grade based on your level of experience in the field:
- Associate – for people interested in technical communication, but not directly involved as their main profession
- Student – for those studying technical communication
- Entry-level – for professionals starting out in the field
- Member – for experienced technical communicators
Note: You cannot join the ISTC directly as a Fellow. You must have been a Member for two years to upgrade.
Need help with your grade?
If you are uncertain about which grade is for you, don’t worry. The membership committee will help to make sure that you join at the appropriate grade once you’ve applied, and all members gain access to support, publications, events, and community networks.
If you would like more information about membership grades:
- Explanation of all grades
- Interactive grade chooser
- Contact the ISTC office (details below)
2. Tell us about yourself
Complete the ISTC membership form.
Note: We may contact you and ask for further information to help assess your application.
3. Send us supporting evidence
Contact the ISTC office with the following:
- A current CV giving details of your education, qualifications and experience to confirm your grade
- Supporting evidence if you are applying for student or retired membership
4. Pay your application fee
There is a fee of £30 to cover the administration costs of processing your application. Membership fees are only paid once your application is successful.
You can pay online or make a bank transfer. Contact the ISTC office for bank details.
After application
When we receive your application, the ISTC office will confirm receipt and keep you informed of the progress of your application.
Paying membership fees
Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to pay your membership fee. See below for current fees and ways to save.
Your first year’s fee will be calculated proportional to the time from your acceptance to the end of the calendar year.
The ISTC office will calculate this and inform you of the amount you’ll need to pay, and how you can pay it.
Contacting the ISTC office
If you have any questions at any stage of the process, please reach out and we will be happy to assist.
E-mail: ISTC office
Phone: +44 20 8253 4506
Ways to save
For information on receiving these discounts, contact the ISTC office using the details above.
Team/Group renewal discounts
- Two to five team members: 5%
- Six to ten team members: 7.5%
- For more than 10 members: 10%
‘Recommend a friend’ discount
If a new or lapsed member joins by 31st January on your recommendation then your renewal will be at the existing rate, and they won’t have to pay the application fee.
Fees
- Fees are updated on 1 December for the following year.
- Students must be on a recognised course in technical communications.
- Retired Memberships require supporting evidence that the member is of UK State Pension age.
- For Business Affiliates – see current rates on our Business Affiliates page.
Membership fees for 2026
| Membership Type | Yearly | Quarterly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate/Entry-level | £130.00 | £32.50 | £10.83 |
| Member/Fellow | £150.00 | £37.50 | £12.50 |
| Student (1st year) | £45.00 | £11.25 | £3.75 |
| Student | £65.00 | £16.25 | £5.41 |
| Retired Associate | £65.00 | £16.25 | £5.41 |
| Retired Member/Fellow | £75.00 | £18.75 | £6.25 |