How to Get an Equity Card

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Last Updated: September 22, 2022 References

The Actors’ Equity Association (or AEA for short) is an American theater group that represents stage actors. With an Equity card, you’ll be able to expand your circle of professional contacts, receive health and pension benefits, get first rights to exclusive auditions and much more. Applying for membership is simple. After completing a few pieces of paperwork, fulfilling the necessary requirements and paying all related fees, you can then register for your Equity card and take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Completing the Equity Membership Candidate Program

1
Enroll in the Equity Membership Candidate Program. The EMC program is set up like a classical theater apprenticeship. As part of the program, you’ll be given the chance to gain valuable experience working for theaters that are in partnership with the union. This will help prepare you for the distinction of membership in the AEA.^{[1]
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- Visit the Actors’ Equity Association website to find more information on enrollment, program requirements, membership fees and other important topics.
2
Fill out the EMC registration form. You’ll be asked to provide personal information like your full name, permanent address and Social Security number, along with your recent work history. This information will be used to register you as a membership candidate and track your progress within the program.^{[2]
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- You can get one of these forms from the theater employing you, or from any theater participating in the EMC program if you haven't yet been hired.
- Make sure the details you provide are accurate and up to date.
- Along with your registration, you must submit a $100 processing fee.^{[3]
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3
Complete 50 weeks of creditable theater work. This work must be done at a theater (or multiple theaters) participating in the EMC program. Each week you complete will count as 1 point. Once you’ve reached 50 points, you’ll be eligible for full membership.^{[4]
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- Your 50 weeks can be accumulated over any length of time, and do not all have to performed at the same theater.
- You can find a full list of theaters participating in the EMC program on the Actors’ Equity Association website.
4
Apply as a member. Upon completing the EMC program, the AEA will contact you to inform you that you’ve been approved for membership. Fill out the forms they send you, make the first payment of $400 for the initiation fee and await your Equity card.^{[5]
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- The full $1,100 initiation fee is what actually gets you into the union, and is separate from the application fee, amounting to a total of $1,200 payable in installments.
- Eligibility lasts for five years, so you’ll have some time to think over your decision or get your affairs in order if something prevents you from joining right away.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Securing an Equity Contract

1
Audition for high-profile roles. It’s possible to gain membership to the Actors’ Equity Association as a nonunion actor. In order to do so, you’ll have to have established your reputation somewhat, as contract offers are typically made during negotiations with the theater. Try out for as many roles as you can to improve your chances of getting noticed by the right producers and theater managers.
- Scoring an Equity contract can be tough, as most contracts tend to go to actors who are already Equity members.
- You may have a better chance of being offered a contract if you’re working for a theater that participates in the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program.
2
Negotiate an Equity contract. When discussing the terms of your employment with the theater where you’ll be performing, see whether they’d be willing to offer you an Equity contract at the end of the standard contract cycle. Getting an offer is often as simple as having the right experience and expressing interest in joining the ranks of the AEA.^{[7]
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- Equity contracts are sometimes awarded to nonunion actors if there aren’t enough Equity certified actors to fill the slot.^{[8]
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- If you work with a manager, have them help you negotiate your way into an Equity contract.
3
Apply for full Equity membership. Once you’re working under an Equity contract, you’ll be eligible to officially join the AEA. Complete an application and send it off for review, along with the one-time fee of $100. You’ll then be welcomed to the union and issued your very own Equity card.
- You’re only remain eligible for membership while your Equity contract is still valid.
- As a member, you’ll receive union wages, health benefits and opportunities to take part in AEA exclusive auditions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Joining Through a Sister Union

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Become a member of another actors' union. It’s also possible to buy your way into the Actors’ Equity Association through an associated organization. The only qualifications are that the original union you’re in be approved by the AEA and that you remain an active member for at least a year. This is perhaps the fastest way to gain entrance to the AEA if you’re already actively involved in an actors' union.^{[9]
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- Eligible unions include SAG-AFTRA, The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the Guild of Italian-American Actors (GIAA).^{[10]
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- You’re free to continue your membership in other unions once you’ve been admitted to the AEA.
2
Maintain your membership for one year. Annual participation in an acting union is considered good experience, and will put you on the fast track to joining the AEA. During this time, it will be a good idea to go out for roles that will give you more exposure—you may even manage to secure an Equity contract before the year is over, accelerating the process.^{[11]
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- Be sure to attend any required meetings or events in order to maintain your standing within the union.
- Actors are still encouraged to take part in the EMC Program, even if they’re joining up from another union. The 50 weeks of hands-on training will give candidates practical knowledge of industry standards.^{[12]
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3
Supply the necessary credentials. Before you’re given the green light to join the Actors’ Equity Association, you’ll be asked to provide proof of membership (in good standing) with another credible actor’s union. They’ll also want to see evidence of your work throughout your year of membership. Be sure to include these documents with the standard Equity application.^{[13]
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- A letter of recommendation from your current union may be a requirement, as well.^{[14]
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4
Register for your Equity card. Get in touch with the AEA to request an application. If all the necessary conditions are met, you’ll be prompted to pay $400 down on the $1,100 initiation fee. This first payment must be made within six months of the original application date. After you’ve taken care of all this, you can begin enjoying the advantages that membership in the AEA brings.
- The fee is higher for transferring union members because it cuts through steps that would otherwise be necessary for joining the AEA.
- The AEA also asks for regular membership dues, which are paid semiannually in May and November.

Community Q&A

Question

Can kids get an equity membership card?

Pearlbelle

Top Answerer

Yes, with their parents' approval.
Question

I've no experience of acting. Can I still do this?

Ashiegymnast

Community Answer

Yes! Try auditioning for a community theatre production. If you don't get in, don't be discouraged! Try again!
Question

Can an equity actor work at the community theater or other non-equity theater?

Community Answer

The union is there to protect everyone. An actor may appear in a non-equity show with special permission from the equity union. You can get around it IF you use a fake name and do not mention an affiliation with ANY equity shows, but you and the community company can get in big trouble if you get caught.

Warnings

Failure to pay your dues will result in your membership being revoked, and you’ll have to go through the application process all over again to have it reinstated.

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