Membership is open to anyone over the age of 18 years and is divided into the following categories:

Full
Members who are full-time journalists and are employed by any lawful news organisation, and whose applications are approved by the committee. New members pay a once off R200 joining fee. Annual membership fees are R400 a year for full members.

Associate
Members who are in professions allied to journalism and whose applications must be approved by the committee. New members pay a once off R200 joining fee. Annual membership fees are R600 a year for associate members.

Corporate

Organisations can join the National Press Club as entities, rather than individuals. Membership fees are R6 050 per year for one to 10 employees, R11 000 per year for 10 to 20 employees and R22 000 per year for more than 20 employees. 

Student
Full-time journalism students in their second or third year of study, and third year public relations students employed in a related field, and whose applications are approved by the committee. New members pay a once off R200 joining fee. Annual membership fees are R200 a year for student members.

Retired
Former full-time journalists and / or associate members and / or freelance journalists who have retired, and who are not employed full-time in any other profession or occupation. Their membership can be renewed at the discretion of the committee.

Honorary
Members who are acknowledged as prominent members of the media community and are appointed by the committee on the understanding that the membership will apply only as long as the honorary member is in the office which enabled him / her to qualify as an honorary member.

Honorary President
The committee will have the right to appoint one person as honorary president of the club for his / her contribution to the journalistic profession or the Press Club’s welfare.