Following are some common questions about ICMA and its membership application process. The application includes additional details. For more information, contact membership@icma.org or 202-962-3680.
Membership Categories
Who can be a member of ICMA?
Any individual with an interest in local government leadership and management can become a member of ICMA. Your employer and position determine your membership category, dues rate, and eligibility for certain benefits.
What are ICMA's membership categories?
Full (voting) membership is for chief administrative officers (CAOs) whose scope of responsibility meets these six criteria: appointment, policy formulation, budget, appointing authority, organizational relationships, and qualifications; assistant/deputy chief administrative officers; and other senior-level staff in local government who have significant administrative duties and report to a CAO whose position meets the six criteria for joining.
Affiliate (non-voting) membership is for any person who does not meet the qualifications for the above full membership category, including entry- to mid-level local government employees, professors, private and nonprofit sector employees, federal/state government employees, and full-time students and interns.
Membership Dues
How are annual dues calculated?
United States
- Full (voting) membership: chief administrative officers, assistant/deputy chief administrative officers, and other senior-level staff in local government: annual salary × 0.008
- Affiliate membership:
- Entry-level to mid-management staff in local government: $150 the first year, $175 the second year, and (effective October 1, 2011) $200 for years three and beyond.
- Department heads in local government: annual salary × 0.005
- Full-time college or university professors: $165
- Private sector, nonprofit, federal and state employees: $200
- Full-time students (whose primary occupation is going to school): $25
- Full-time interns or fellows in local government: $25
- Other: $200.
Special Early Career Membership Dues Rates
Entry-level to mid-management local government professionals (below department head level) can take advantage of the ICMA professional network with a reduced dues rate: $150 the first year, $175 the second year, and (effective October 1, 2011) $200 for years three and beyond. Students and interns still benefit from a special electronic membership for $25 a year.
International
Dues below apply regardless of member category:
- Canada
- CAMA Member: US$135
- Non-CAMA Member: annual salary × 0.008
- United Kingdom
- SOLACE Member: US$105
- Non-SOLACE Member: US$135
- High Income Countries: US$135
- Low and Middle Income Countries: US$70.
What about dues refunds?
Since membership is not transferable, ICMA will not provide a dues refund if a member leaves current employment. Typically, ICMA does not provide refunds, but requests submitted in writing by the member or member applicant will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What are the payment options?
If you plan to pay your member dues by check or money order, download a membership application and mail the completed application and payment in U.S. currency to: ICMA Membership, PO Box 79403, Baltimore, MD 21279-0403. This address is a bank lockbox and should be used for membership dues and renewal payments only. Mailed payments should include your membership application.
Applications with credit card (American Express, Visa, or MasterCard) payment can be faxed to 202-962-3565.
Purchase orders are not considered payment. ICMA recognizes that many local governments require a signed purchase order to process payment. Send purchase orders to the ICMA Finance Department for signature.
If you want to mail any other type of information to ICMA, send it to: ICMA, 777 N Capitol Street, NE, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20002-4201.
Who ICMA Membership Belongs To
As a professional association, ICMA membership belongs to you as an individual, not your employing organization. Membership is not transferable. Your ICMA membership travels with you throughout your career advancements, between jobs, and into retirement.
Professional History
Can I attach a resume in place of listing my employment history?
Yes, you can attach your resume to your application instead of listing your employment history. Positions should be in reverse chronological order, starting with your current employer. Be sure to include start and end dates, including the year, month, and day for each position listed. These dates are used to determine eligibility for ICMA service awards, and to ensure a complete and accurate listing in Who's Who, our online membership directory.
Personal Information
Will my membership information be kept confidential?
Each member’s professional and educational history, birth date, home telephone number, and partner’s name are published in the Who’s Who online directory. Any demographic statistics regarding ICMA members are published in aggregate form. You may opt to hide your birth date from public view.
Signature/Code of Ethics
By signing the membership application, you agree to abide by the ICMA Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Enforcement. The Code has governed members' professional and personal conduct since 1924 and is a foundation of the association and the local government management profession. ICMA provides ongoing education regarding the Code of Ethics, which is aggressively enforced by a peer review process that involves investigating complaints and recommending sanctions for Code violations.
ICMA encourages all members to actively endorse the Code of Ethics by providing an endorsing signature on their membership application. However, all members are bound to the Code of Ethics and the Rules of Procedure for Enforcement. Members working for local government in appointed positions are subject to the provisions of Tenets 1 through 12; members working outside of local government are subject to the provisions of Tenets 1 and 3.
Effective Date
When will I receive my new member kit and other membership material?
Expect membership mailings two to four weeks after ICMA receives your application with payment. Applicants for voting membership will be listed in the ICMA Newsletter, and if no written objection has been received after 60 days, the applicant will be admitted to membership.