Join the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists

This is the new member application page. If you are a renewing member, please click here.

First, you should know that you will actually be joining two related organizations. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) was founded in 1909 and is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization. National SPJ is best-known for its Code of Ethics, which is continually updated to give journalists practical ways to cope with changing technology and a changing society.

The New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists (NJ-SPJ) is the “NJ Pro Chapter” of SPJ, but in many ways we function separately, with our own activities, budget and programs.  Created in 1959, NJ-SPJ was the prime mover in creating NJ’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and continues to be the first line of defense for journalists in the Garden State. In cooperation with others, NJ-SPJ is one of two statewide organizations that issues NJ Press Identification Cards.

If you are already a member seeking to renew your membership and order press ID cards, click here.

Application for Membership in the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists

In the form below, you can apply for membership and order Press ID Cards and vehicle placards. Your card order will be processed after your membership application is reviewed and approved. You can pay by major credit or debit card, or online options such as Venmo. Our transactions are processed securely by Square.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Member Information

Member Name *

First

Last

Your Working Title (Reporter, editor, freelance, etc.)

Please provide the name as you want it to appear on your press ID card and vehicle card.

News Organization

Please provide the name as you want it to appear on your press ID card and vehicle card.

Office Phone

Cell Phone *

Email *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

--- Select state ---AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Membership levels (includes $10 for NJ-SPJ membership) *--- Select Choice ---Full member - $90.00Associate member - $50.00Student - $50.00Retiree (62 or older) - $50.00

Select your level of membership

Headshot

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Please upload a high-resolution JPEG passport-style photo of your head and shoulders, full-face, against a neutral background. No hats or hoodies, no selfies or heads cropped from a party photo. Have someone make the photo of you if you don't already have a professional headshot.

Declaration *

• Accept

I certify that I have read the SPJ Code of Ethics. (See link below.) I further certify that I have read and will abide by the Terms & Conditions.

Submit links to three current stories you have reported. Story 1 Here.

Please only insert URLs here. If you only have clips of your stories, you can upload them as PDFs below.

Story 2 Here.

Story 3 Here.

Upload three stories here

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files.

If you don't have URLs or links to online versions of your news stories, you can upload them as PDFs here.

NJ SPJ Press ID Card

Price: $35.00

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This is the NJ-SPJ Press ID Card for 2026. To purchase a Press ID Card, you must be a member of NJ-SPJ.

NJ SPJ Press ID Card bundled with Lanyard, $1.75 discount

Price: $40.00

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Purchase an NJ-SPJ Press ID card AND reflective lanyard together and save $1.75

Laminated Vehicle Cards

Price: $8.75

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NJ Press ID Card holders may order up to three vehicles cards, for both personal and work vehicles. Vehicle Cards are $8.75 apiece if ordered with your NJ Press ID Card. Only cardholders may purchase Vehicle Cards. When you purchase more than one, you certify that they are only for your use, in both personal and work vehicles.

Your Organization Card

Double-Reflective, one-inch "PRESS" Lanyard

Price: $6.75

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If you do not already have one, NJ-SPJ has agreed with the NJ Attorney General to highly recommend that you have one, especially when covering mass protests or law enforcement. $5 if ordered with NJ Press ID Card. $6.75 if ordered separately.

Shipping and handling

Price: $0.00

For the purchase of a single item like a press ID card, the current shipping cost is $7.44. If you order any other items, the flat rate for shipping is $16.29.

Total

$0.00

Square *

Card

Name on Card

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