Voting Membership is open to all who are interested in the objectives of the organization and who meet the following criteria:

• The member must make a portion of their living as an artist, musician, writer, producer, engineer or other music industry profession.
• The member must meet one of the following criteria:
• Be listed in the creative or eligible non-creative credits of at least four commercially released albums, or album equivalents (commercially released is defined as an album that has sold 500 or more copies to the public); or
• Be the predominantly featured artist, writer, creator or producer on at least two commercially released albums, or album equivalents as defined above; or
• Be a former finalist in any Pearl Awards category in any prior year.
• The member must pay annual FCMA voting membership dues and be a member in good standing.

Professional Membership is for individuals who are involved in the music recording industry by profession but do not fall into the "voting" membership category. In order to maintain professional membership status members must meet the following criteria:

• The member must make the majority of their living as a recording industry professional, (music attorney, artist management, record company staff, music publisher, publicist, distribution, or other recording industry professional).
• The member must pay annual FCMA dues and be a member in good standing.

Associate Membership is open to all who are interested in the objectives of the organization and who meet the following criteria:

• The member must be meet one of the following criteria:
• Make a portion of their living as an artist, musician, writer, producer, engineer, or other industry professional but not have enough credits to qualify for voting membership; or
• Not be currently involved in the music recording industry, but is interested in the goals and purposes of the FCMA; or
• Be a student preparing for a career in the music recording industry.
• The member must pay annual FCMA dues and be a member in good standing.