AIC is the organization that seeks to give Constructors the professional status they deserve. The Institute is the constructor's counterpart of professional organizations found in architecture, engineering, law and other fields. As such, the Institute serves as the national qualifying body of professional constructor. AIC membership identifies the individual as a true professional.
Becoming a member of AIC displays your support for the organization's mission. In addition AIC Members enjoy a wide variety of member benefits:
- Discount on ENR Magazine.
- Earn 1 Continuing Professional Development credit hour towards AC and CPC re-certification.
- CPD Maintenance Fees waived.
- 20% Discount on Lorman Online Educational Classes which can count towards CPD credit hours.
- 26% discount on shipping with FedEx and UPS.
- Discounted access to ConstructionJobs.com.
- Discounted rates to AIC Events like the Mid-Year Meeting and Annual Forum.
- Unique networking opportunity with other industry professionals through the AIC Website, Local Chapters, and other events.
- Voting and Leadership Rights to help shape the AIC as it continues its mission.
- Access to The American Professional Constructor - The Journal of the American Institute of Constructors.
There are also three special classes of membership which may be applied in addition to the basic membership classes. The special classes effect certain membership rights and obligations normally associated with a member’s basic class.
| Provisional: |
No dues, limited benefits, one-year term |
| Emeritus: |
No dues, lifetime benefits, retirees only |
| Life: |
No dues, lifetime benefits, special payment |
Membership Structure
The Fellow class is open to constructor members not less than 40 years of age who have held that class for at least ten years; have achieved a position of professional eminence and have given distinguished service to the Institute. Admission is by nomination by one’s peers and election ballot of the College of Fellows.
The classes of Constructor and Associate, reflect the current patterns of construction education and levels of experience to qualify for membership, thus enabling the Institute to provide a class of membership appropriate to every level of professional accomplishment in the construction industry.
The class of Student is provided for those enrolled in a full time construction program, pursuing either a two or four year degree, and authorized by the Board of Directors of AIC or accredited by ACCE or ASC.
The class of Educator is open to those who are following the construction profession, have received a
bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary baccalaureate construction program, have three
years of instructional experience and is currently teaching construction related courses or in a
construction related program, and has either four years of experience working in a construction related
field, or has obtained the Certificate Level of Associate Constructor.
The class of Affiliate is provided to offer membership in the Institute to all those who are associated with the construction industry but are not; eligible for the Constructor and Associate class.
The class of Honorary member exists to bestow AIC recognition to a person not eligible for any other class of membership, but who is a person of eminence and distinction, or is a person distinguished by special scientific, artistic, literary or other cultural achievements.
Principal Membership Routes
Progression is possible from one class of membership to another following additional study, examination and practical experience, and, in accordance with the Institute’s policy to provide a “Ladder of Opportunity.” Members may proceed from one class to the next whenever they satisfy the admission requirements of the higher class.
In determining when the requirement of years of experience has been met, a Member will not be penalized for having joined AIC. Thus, if a Member was classified as an Associate because s/he failed by one year to meet the experience requirements for Constructor at the time he joined AIC, he will not be required to wait five years before applying.
Section 1: Student Class
The Student class is provided for those studying construction at the collegiate level. It enables students to participate in Institutional activities, to benefit from it’s publications and services and to keep abreast of new developments while undertaking further education courses and gaining the necessary experience for admission to a designated class of membership.
Qualifications for Admission
For admission to Student membership, a person must be enrolled full time in a construction oriented 2-year program leading to an Associate Degree, a 4-year program leading to a Bachelor’s Degree, or a graduate program leading to a Master’s or Ph.D. Degree.
Application for admission to Student membership can be made online or on the prescribed form, obtainable from the Institute. For institutions paying for multiple students, please contact the AIC National Office for an application form.
Fees and Dues
Current rates of admission and transfer and annual dues are as published
by the Institute. Dues are payable annually and are currently $25 per
year
Section 2: Associate Class
About this Membership Class
The Associate-class membership is intended for career constructors who do not yet qualify for the Constructor class. Associate members are full voting member, and may run for leadership positions in the Institute, but do not receive all of the benefits that Constructor and Fellow members receive.
Qualifications for Admission or Transfer
To be admitted to the Institute as an Associate member, an applicant must be following the construction profession at the time they apply, and fulfill any one of the following 4 criteria:
1. Experience and Education: Have received a degree from a 4-year post secondary baccalaureate construction program (or a 4-year baccalaureate program in architecture, engineering or other construction oriented program as approved by the Board of Directors)
2. Experience Only: Have achieved and maintained for not less than eight years a position in the construction profession and have given beneficial service to the construction profession.
3. Certification: Have obtained the Certification Level of Associate Constructor
4. Reciprocity: Have obtained the equal level of Membership with an AIC Board approved Agreement of Reciprocity
Application for admission or transfer to Associate membership can be made online or on the prescribed form, obtainable from the Institute, and accompanied by the appropriate fee.
Fees and Dues
Current rates of admission and transfer and annual dues are as published by the Institute. Dues are payable annually, and are currently $139 per year.
An applicant for admission to Associate membership must submit the admission fee with the application.
An applicant for transfer from Student to Associate membership must submit transfer fee with application.
An applicant who fails to secure admission or transfer is entitled to a refund of the admission/transfer fee.
Section 3: Constructor Class
About this Membership Class
The Constructor-class membership is intended for career constructors with many years of experience in the profession. Constructor members are full voting member, and may run for leadership positions in the Institute. Constructor membership is the highest membership classification that one can achieve without special nominations and elections.
Qualifications for Admission or Transfer
To be admitted to the Institute as a Constructor member, an applicant must be following the construction profession at the time they apply, and fulfill any one of the following 4 criteria:
- Membership and Experience: For at least 4 years, has held a responsible position in the construction profession while also maintaining Associate membership in the AIC, or
- Experience Only: Has held a responsible position in the construction profession for at least 15 years, and currently holds a senior-level management position in the construction profession, or
- Certification: Has obtained the Certification Level of Certified Professional Constructor, or
- Reciprocity: Has obtained the equal level of Membership with an AIC Board approved Agreement of Reciprocity.
Professional Review
All constructor-level members who are qualifying through professional experience—that is, those qualifying through #1 or #2 above—must be reviewed by another AIC Constructor or Fellow member prior to becoming a Constructor member.
Application for admission or transfer to Constructor membership can be made online or on the prescribed form, obtainable from the Institute, and accompanied by the appropriate fee.
Fees and Dues
Current rates of admission and transfer and annual dues are as published by the Institute. Dues are payable annually and are currently $215 per year.
Section 4: Fellow Class
About this Membership Class
Fellowship is the highest honor conferred on a member of the Institute. It is limited to those persons who have advanced in their careers to a position of eminence by demonstrating a consistent pattern of professional performance and whose inclusion in the College of Fellows will bring added distinction to that body.
Requirements
All applicants for the Fellow class must be nominated by either a Constructor member or another Fellow member. To qualify for nomination, a member must meet all of the following criteria.
Must currently be a construction educator, construction researcher, a construction practitioner, or be retired from a career in either of these areas.
Must have given distinguished service to the Institute.
Must be, and have been for the past 10 years: either a Constructor member of AIC, a Certified Professional Constructor, a CIOB Corporate Member, or a CIOB Fellow
Must be at least 40 years of age.
Nomination Procedures
Only Fellow or Constructor members are eligible to nominate or second the nomination for Fellowship, Nominations shall be submitted on forms available from the National office. The forms are to be completed in full and returned to the National Office at least 60 days prior to the Annual Forum. Applications will not be carried over to the next year, however, candidates may be re-nominated. Members may not nominate themselves.
Election
An affirmative vote by at least three quarters of the Fellow casting ballots, but in no case shall the affirmative votes be less than a majority of all Fellows, in good standing at the time of nomination, shall be deemed to be elected to the College of Fellows.
Fees and Dues
Current rates of admission and transfer and annual dues are as published by the Institute. Dues are payable annually.
Section 5: Educator Class
About this Membership Class
The Educator class is provided for those involved in the instructional aspect of the construction industry. That includes those who are currently teaching construction related courses in a high school, trade school, 2 year program or collegiate institution.
Qualifications for Admission
Applicants must be following the construction profession, have received a bachelor’s degree from an
accredited post-secondary baccalaureate construction program, have three years of instructional
experience and is currently teaching construction related courses or in a construction related
program, and has either four years of experience working in a construction related field, or has
obtained the Certificate Level of Associate Constructor.
Application for admission to Educator membership can be made online or on the prescribed form, obtainable from the Institute, and accompanied by the appropriate fee.
Fees and Dues
Current rates of admission and transfer and annual dues are as published by the Institute. Dues are payable annually, and are currently $150.00 per year.
Section 6: Affiliate Class
About this Membership Class
Affiliates are members who are not directly part of the construction profession, but share a common interest in AIC’s goals and mission. Affiliate member are considered full members of the Institute, and are encouraged to participate in all AIC event and activities. However, Affiliates may not vote in AIC elections nor run for AIC leadership positions.
Qualifications for Admission or Transfer
For admission to Affiliate membership, an applicant must meet all of the following 3 criteria
Affiliation: Be affiliated with the construction industry. For example, members such as trade association staff; allied professions such as law, accounting, insurance and surety; and service persons such as manufacturers’ representatives and material salespersons are all qualified for Affiliate membership.
Eligibility: Be ineligible for other membership classifications
Qualifications: Have qualifications and experience in their profession that is approximately equivalent to the Associate-level membership of AIC.
Application for admission to Affiliate membership can be made online or on the prescribed form, obtainable from the Institute, and be accompanied by the appropriate fee.
Fees and Dues
Current rates of admission and transfer and annual dues are as published by the Institute. Dues are payable annually, and are currently set at $290 per year..
Section 7: Emeritus Member
About this Membership Class
Emeritus membership is intended to allow retired members to continue their membership to AIC without having to pay yearly dues. Emeritus members pay a one-time fee, and maintain all of the rights and benefits of the membership class indefinitely.
Emeritus membership is a “special status” that can be applied in addition to other membership classifications. That is, one could be a “Constructor Emeritus,” or “Fellow Emeritus,” but never just “Emeritus.”
Qualifications for Admission or Transfer
To achieve the status of Emeritus, a member must meet all 4 of the following requirements:
1. Be retired from the practice of the construction profession
2. Be at least 65 years old, or have been compelled to retire sooner due to ill health.
3. Must be either an Affiliate, Constructor, or Fellow member of the AIC
4. Must have been a member in good standing (in any membership class) for at least 8 years.
Applications for Emeritus status have a special process that is different from the normal membership application. If you are interested in seeking Emeritus status, please contact AIC National Office.
Section 8: Life Member
About this Membership Class
Life membership is intended to allow Constructor or Fellow members to continue their membership to AIC through payment of a special dues assessment. The Life membership dues assessment terms and payment amounts will be evaluated established by the Board from time to time. Life members pay a one-time fee, and maintain all of the rights and benefits of the membership class indefinitely.
Life membership is a “special status” that can be applied in addition to other membership classifications.
Qualifications for Admission or Transfer
To achieve the status of Life membership, a member must meet both of the following requirements:
1. Must be either a Constructor or Fellow member of the AIC in good standing.
2. Payment of the special dues assessment established by the Board.
Applications for Life membership status have a special process that is different from the normal membership application. If you are interested in seeking Life membership status, please contact the AIC National Office.
Section 9: Provisional Membership
Effective January 1, 2005, the AIC will offer all Associate Constructors passing the AC (Level I) Certification Exam a complimentary limited membership through the end of the current calendar year.
** Membership in the Institute is separate from the Certification track (AC) and dues must be individually maintained.
Associate Constructors may become Provisional Associate Constructor members. Provisional membership is a “special status” that can be applied in addition to other membership classifications. That is, one could be a “Provisional Associate,” but never just “Provisional.”
Benefits
Provisional members of all classes are eligible for the following benefits available to full members at no charge including:
- No-cost approval of Continuing Education courses for individual use.
- Access to the members-only sections of the AIC website and all electronic publications.
- All AIC membership discounts and affinity benefits.
- Full subscription to the “American Professional Constructor” and other publications produced through the support of the AIC Education Foundation.
Provisional membership lasts for the remainder of the current membership year in which it is granted. At the end of this term, provisional members will be given the option to upgrade to full membership at the level for which they are qualified. Provisional members are exempt from any application processing fees if they choose to upgrade to full membership during the term of their provisional membership. Provisional members have no voting rights in the Institute and are not listed as members of the Institute in the AIC Membership Directory until they choose to upgrade to full membership.