SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
SFES Membership is limited to persons possessing appropriate education, training, experience, knowledge, and character. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, individuals in the following two categories, who meet the stated criteria, are eligible to be considered for membership in the Society.

1.1  Engineering of Science Degree Holders:

1.1.1  hold an earned, advanced degree in engineering or science from an accredited college or university program:

1.1.2  have been actively engaged, for a significant period of time, in the application of their area(s) or engineering or science in matters before courts of law or related proceedings:

1.1.3  have demonstrated competent and professional conduct in all their area(s) of expertise:

1.1.4  perform their work objectively and ethically:

1.1.5  provide recognized, expert testimony within judicial system:

1.2  Technical Experts:

1.2.1  individuals who (1) possess exceptional qualifications (2) have many years of experience in their area of expertise (3) perform self-directed work requiring a college-level degree or its equivalent, in technology, engineering, or science (4) demonstrate full knowledge of the laws of science applied to their area of expertise:

1.2.2  meet the requirements of Items 1.1.3 through 1.1.5.

SECTION 2: CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
There shall be two classes of membership in the SFES.

2.1  MEMBER

2.2  EMERITUS MEMBER

SECTION 3: QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
When used herein “member” shall imply any Membership classification under the following definitions:

3.1  MEMBER – member who qualifies in accordance with ARTICLE III, Section4.

3.2  EMERITUS MEMBER – a member who is retired from professional practice, has completed five years as a member and who applies for EMERITUS status.

SECTION 4: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants seeking membership are required to complete application procedures established by the BOARD and pay application fee. The procedures and fee amount shall be available in writing to applicants.

At the completion of the procedures, applicants accepted by the BOARD shall be approved as a MEMBER by two-thirds of the members who vote in a manner prescribed by the BOARD, and pay prorated dues based upon the remaining fiscal year.

SECTION 5: BOARD ACTIONS
Applications for EMERITUS status shall be submitted by memorandum to the BOARD for necessary action within 120 days. Decisions by the BOARD on applications for any membership status are final when decided by the BOARD.

SECTION 6: ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE
All members except EMERITUS shall be eligible to hold any SFES elective office or to serve as an appointed member of the BOARD.

SECTION 7: MEMBER DISCIPLINE
Any member who has been determined by action of the BOARD to have violated ethical professional standards may be subject to censure, suspension or termination.

SECTION 8: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Termination procedures are as follows:

8.1  Termination Upon Request of member: A member may terminate membership in the Society by a written request directed to the President of the Society. Any member who resigns while ethics charges are pending against the member, shall be excluded from future membership.

8.2  Termination for Failure to Pay Dues: Membership may be automatically terminated upon failure to pay annual dues as prescribed by the BOARD, or to pay a regular assessment prescribed by the BOARD.

8.3  Termination for Cause: A member may be suspended or terminated from the Society for unethical conduct, conduct detrimental to the profession of forensic science, conduct detrimental to the welfare of the Society, or lack of participation.

8.4  The President shall inform the membership of all terminations.