Affiliate membership in the Information Theory Society is available to Scientists and Engineers who do not want to be an IEEE member because of interests and/or background. Society Affiliates are non-IEEE members who have been admitted by a Society to some of the rights and privileges of Society activities. The qualifications for Society Affiliates, limits in rights and privileges, and dues are established by the Executive Committee.

Senior Membership is available -- according to IEEE Bylaw I-105.3 -- to engineers, scientists, educators, technical executives and originators in IEEE-designated fields who have been in professional practice for at least ten years and have shown significant performance for at least five of those years. An existing member who meets these criteria may apply for elevation or a prospective member who has reached this level may submit an application for membership AND Senior Member status at the same time.

IEEE policy currently allows a 50% discount on IEEE dues and one society membership for any individual whose annual salary is less than US $10,100. This offering is referred to as the Minimum Income Special Considerations Option. The Information Theory Society now has a new program called the Membership Fee Subsidy Program (MFSP), which will both complement the IEEE Minimum Income offering and provide a significant additional benefit for qualified individuals.

The Information Theory Society connects researchers and engineers around the world through publications, workshops and symposia, and related service activities.