Who Can Join?

To become a Tau Beta Pi member, you must meet both our scholastic and exemplary character requirements, be elected by a student chapter, pay a one-time membership fee, and attend an initiation ceremony. If, after reviewing the scholastic requirements below, you believe you are eligible, contact the leaders at the student chapter on your campus. If there is no chapter at your school, click here to learn how to establish one.

Each chapter has its own method for determining whether a candidate meets the exemplary character requirements. This often includes attending an interview, completing a quiz, obtaining member signatures, or participating in a chapter-sponsored activity or project! The intent of these activities is to provide current members the opportunity to meet and get to know you and for you to learn about Tau Beta Pi and demonstrate your interest in joining the Association.

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  • Eligible Candidate Categories

  • 1
    Undergraduate students

    Most members are initiated as undergraduate students, and candidates must be in the upper eighth of the junior class or upper fifth of the senior class. Candidates are typically contacted by the chapter's leaders, advisors, or the dean's office when a candidate is eligible. Contact the chapter leaders on your campus if you believe you are eligible, but did not receive an invitation.

  • 2
    Graduate students

    Candidates at the graduate level must be in the upper fifth of the class. If class rank cannot be determined, candidates must obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty or academic advisor certifying a candidate is doing graduate work of the quality expected of a member of Tau Beta Pi. In either case, a candidate must have completed at least 50 percent of the degree requirements, including coursework and research.

  • 3
    Chapter Alumni

    Engineering alumni of a chapter's institution whose scholastic record placed them in the upper fifth of their class may be elected to membership. Such candidates are usually recommended to the chapter by a member who knows them.

  • 4
    Other Alumni

    Engineering alumni of another recognized institution whose scholastic record placed them in the top fifth of their class may be elected to membership. Such candidates are usually recommended to the chapter by a member who knows them.

  • 5
    Eminent Engineers

    Engineers who have achieved eminence in engineering may be elected to membership without regard to collegiate records. If they graduated from a recognized engineering college, they must have been involved in engineering for at least 10 years; if not, they must have practiced engineering for at least 15 years. Such candidates are usually recommended by members who know them. The required degree of eminent achievement is left to a chapter to research and recommend action on, but eligibility approval must be obtained by a chapter's Advisory Board and Tau Beta Pi Headquarters prior to considering a candidate.

Want to learn more about becoming a member?

Please complete our form to receive more information about Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. We will respond promptly to your questions. Thank you!