Types of Membership

There are basically two types of membership in APWA—Individual or Group. APWA's current membership categories, criteria, and benefits are listed below or you may review the quick reference Benefits Comparison Chart.

Local Chapter Membership and Chapter Dues

APWA membership automatically includes one year of membership in your local APWA or CPWA chapter. Chapter assignment is determined by the member's mailing address; this is referred to as your Primary Chapter. All APWA chapters are part of the national association, therefore it is not possible to attain membership at the chapter level only. The "Chapters" page contains quick links to chapter websites where you will find more information about local events and activities. Local Chapter Dues and Participating at other chapters

Do Chapters have their own dues?
Some chapters have established their own membership dues to help support their local programs. These dues (where applicable) are invoiced with national membership dues and must be paid in order to maintain active membership. See the membership application for specific chapter dues information.

What if I want a different Primary Chapter?
It is possible to make a special request to be assigned to a chapter other than that which corresponds with member's mailing address, call 800-848-APWA for more information.

What if I want to participate in other chapters too?
Participation at chapters other than your Primary Chapter is always open. Chapter leadership roles are limited to those within your Primary Chapter. In addition to the primary chapter assignment, members may also opt to receive newsletters and information about upcoming activities in other nearby APWA chapters. There is no extra fee for using this "info sharing chapter" option. Form more information about utilizing the "info-sharing chapters" set-up, call the APWA national office at 800-848-APWA, or email memberservices@apwa.net.

Branches and Branch Dues

Some chapters cover large jurisdictions and have formed branches to bring educational and networking opportunities to an even more specific geographic area. These branches operate under the oversight of the local chapter. Branch Dues 

Some branches have established branch dues to help support the programs they are offering in their specific geographic area, but branch membership is optional, so branch membership dues (if applicable) are not included with the national-chapter membership invoice. All APWA chapters and branches are part of the national association, therefore it is not possible to hold membership at the branch level only. To find out if your chapter has branches you can use this list of branches.

If you have any questions, please contact our membership team at 800-848-2792 or memberservices@apwa.net.

Individual Membership Types

Individual membership is available to any official or employee of a governmental agency, manufacturer, supplier, contractor, or consulting firm who is actively engaged in the field of public works. There are four types of individual membership:

Individual

Benefits for Individual Members:

• Full membership, including the ability to vote and hold office at the local or national level.
• Opportunity for to receive newsletters and communications for more than one chapter (see "Info-Sharing chapter" above for more details).
• Networking opportunity through participation in local chapter or branch activities, meetings and programs.
• Discounted pricing on APWA publications and products.
• Reduced rates on registration for many APWA meetings and workshops.
• Subscription to the APWA Reporter monthly magazine.
• Opportunity to participate in any or all of the infoNOW Communities (topic-related electronic discussion groups for electronic exchange of knowledge among APWA members), at no additional charge.
• Eligibility to participate as voting members on Technical Committees and on APWA Government Affairs Committee.

Student

Student Individual membership is available to any student enrolled in at least nine credit hours per semester at an accredited college, university, junior college or community college offering bachelor's, associate's or advanced degree programs in engineering, public administration, planning, construction or other public works-related coursework shall be eligible for Student Membership. APWA will accept individual student memberships regardless of whether the educational facility also has a student group established. There is a five-year maximum as a Student Member. Existing APWA members will not be allowed to transfer to Student Membership without the express written permission of the APWA Executive Director. For more information about membership for groups of students, visit the Group Membership Types section below. Benefits for Student Individual Members:

• Same as for Individual Members (see list above) EXCEPT Student Individual members do not have voting rights and their APWA Reporter monthly magazine will only be delivered electronically.
• Annual membership dues greatly reduced.  Just $25 USD ($30 CAN) for student individual membership.

Retired

Members who are not yet eligible for Life Membership may be entitled to a reduced annual dues rate provided they have continuous membership for at least 10 years AND are fully retired from active service for which compensation is received. Benefits for Retired Individual Members:

• Same as for Individual Members (see list above)
• Annual membership dues reduced to approximately 25% of the rate for US Individual membership plus any applicable chapter dues. Contact APWA headquarters for exact figure.

Life

Members who meet any ONE of the following requirements are eligible for Life membership:

• continuous membership for 30 years, or
• continuous membership for 20 years and age 70 or above, or
• continuous membership for 20 years, age 65 and fully retired from active service for which compensation is received
NOTE: It is also possible for any individual who has been a member continuously for 10 years to be designated a Life Member by  special action of the board of directors in recognition of outstanding service to the Association.
Benefits for Life Members:
• Same as for Individual Members (see list above)
• Annual membership dues, and any applicable chapter dues, are waived for Life members.

Group Membership Types

On group memberships only the people named as rostered members receive member benefits.  Groups will receive one consolidated renewal notice with a member roster attached. Groups may add or drop members from the roster throughout the year, if necessary (does not apply to Student Groups). There is no maximum group roster size, see application for Additional Rostered Members fee. There are 4 types of group membership:

Student Group

Available to any group of at least five students who are each enrolled in at least nine credit hours per semester at the same accredited college, university, junior college or community college offering bachelor's or associate's degree programs in engineering, public administration, planning, construction or other public works-related coursework. Student Groups may include more than five members, there is a per person "additional Student Group member" fee. When joining as a Student Group, each member saves $5 USD on annual membership dues compared to separate Student Individual memberships. Benefits for Rostered members under Student Group Memberships:

• Same as for Individual Members (see list above) EXCEPT Student Individual members do not have voting rights and their APWA Reporter monthly magazine will only be delivered electronically.

Public Agency Group

Available to any federal, provincial, state, local, or other public agency that has a group of people who wish to exchange ideas, improve professional competency and increase the performance of their agency. The number of individuals covered and the annual fee for an agency group membership are based on the population served. Groups may cover more than their population based group allotment; additional fee for each extra member. Benefits for Public Agency Groups:

• Rostered members receive same benefits as for Individual Members (see list above)

One-Call Center/System Group

Provides a method for those focused on damage prevention to share new technologies and practices and to promote public safety. Benefits for One-Call groups:

• Gives two rostered members all the benefits of Individual membership (see list above). Groups may cover more people on their roster; additional fee for each extra member.
• ADDITIONAL MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES:
• Complimentary listing in APWA's annual print Buyer's Guide (in April issue of APWA Reporter magazine).
• Complimentary listing under 5 headings in online Buyer's Guide with icon denoting membership.

Corporate Group

Available to non-governmental entity, including public utilities, furnishing public works services or products. APWA offers three levels (Heritage, Prestige, and Crown) of Corporate Membership, each offering a variety of benefits. There are 3 levels of Corporate Group membership:

Heritage Corporate

Ideal for smaller companies or companies with a regional focus. Heritage Corporate group membership is structured primarily for companies interested in networking and marketing opportunities closer to home while at the same time providing a link to APWA membership as a whole. Benefits of Corporate Heritage level:

• Gives two rostered members the same benefits as for Individual Members (see list above). Groups may cover more people on their roster; additional fee for each extra member.
• Save time in accounting/budgeting with one group renewal instead of several individual ones
• ADDITIONAL MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES:
  • Complimentary listing in APWA's annual print Buyer's Guide (in April issue of APWA Reporter magazine).
  • Complimentary listing under 10 headings in online Buyer's Guide with icon denoting membership.
  • Highlighting listings in event program for PWX (formerly known as the APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition) and the North American Snow Conference.
  • Eligibility to purchase targeted APWA mailing list(s) at a savings of $20 per thousand records compared to non-member pricing (per 1,000 records).

Prestige Corporate

Ideal for companies with ongoing interests in public works. Prestige Corporate group membership may be of specific interest to those companies with large offices or offices across the country who want a broader and/or deeper level of involvement with public works professionals. Benefits for Prestige Corporate level:

• Rostered members receive the same benefits as for Individual members (see list above) PLUS covers a total of 10 people. Groups may cover more people on their roster; additional fee for each extra member.
• ADDITIONAL MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES:
  • Same marketing opportunities as Heritage Corporate group memberships PLUS extras shown below
  • Savings on targeted APWA mailing list(s) changes to $30 per thousand records off non-member pricing.
  • Discount of 10% off for purchase of advertising space in the APWA Reporter monthly magazine.

Crown Corporate

Ideal for larger companies seeking optimal national exposure and involvement in the public works community. Benefits for Crown Corporate level:

• Rostered members receive the same benefits as for Individual members (see list above) PLUS covers a total of 40 people. Groups may cover more people on their roster; additional fee for each extra member.
• ADDITIONAL MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES:
  • Same marketing opportunities as Heritage and Prestige Corporate group memberships PLUS extras shown below
  • Best pricing for targeted APWA mailing list(s) - approximately 75% off non-member pricing (per 1,000 records).
  • Discount of 20% off exhibit space at the annual PWX (formerly known as the APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition).
  • Recognition in opening presentation slides at PWX (formerly known as the APWA International Public Works Congress & Exposition)
  • Complete Web-enabled package and Keyword Search package in online Buyer's Guide ; includes company logo, company description and link to corporate website.