Student – Student status is granted to those studying an entry-level STEP qualification, including the CETA program. Students can become Affiliate Members only once they have accumulated at least 60 education or experience points under the Qualification and Membership Framework.
Affiliate – This is STEP’s entry-level membership category. Affiliates have obtained 60–120 education or experience credits under the Qualifications and Membership Framework. They are working towards gaining the requisite qualifications and/or experience required to upgrade to Associate or Full Membership. Additionally, they must undertake continuing professional development. They are either enrolled in the Essay Program or the STEP Canada Diploma program (C1/C2).
Associate – This is STEP’s mid-level membership category. Associates have obtained between 120–240 education or experience points under the Qualifications and Membership Framework. Additionally, they must undertake continuing professional development. They are working towards gaining the requisite qualifications and/or experience to become a TEP. Associates are enrolled either in courses three or four of the Diploma Program, in the Essay Program or have upgraded from an Affiliate membership based on their experience.
Full Academic (TEP) – This membership type is granted only on a case-by-case basis. Full Academic members are professors who hold full-time academic or teaching appointments for trust and estate-related courses. Full Academic members have use of the prestigious TEP designation.
Full – This is the top level of STEP membership. Full Members are qualified practitioners with proven qualifications and experience. Full members have use of the TEP designation and STEP logo and must adhere to STEP’s Code of Professional Conduct and undertake continuing professional development. Full members have the exclusive right to vote, join the STEP Canada board or national committees, and stand for the STEP Worldwide council or board.
*Retired – Retired membership is available to Full, Associate or Affiliate Members who have retired and are no longer providing/undertaking any remunerated advice or work connected with trust/estates. Retired members have a reduced subscription fee and no CPD requirements. Retired members are not listed in the Member Directory and do not hold voting/standing rights.
*Non-Earner – Non-Earner membership is available to Full, Associate or Affiliate members who are unemployed, on maternity leave, on a career break, or on long-term sick leave. Non-Earner members have a reduced subscription rate and, if applicable, can continue the use of the TEP designation for up to two (2) consecutive years while in this category. Non-earners do not have voting/standing rights and must undertake continuing professional development.
*Secondee – Secondee membership is available to Full, Associate or Affiliate members who are seconded to another company or department and not in receipt of any remunerated advice or work connected to trust and/or estates. Secondee members have a reduced subscription rate and, if applicable, can continue use of the TEP designation for up to two (2) consecutive years while in this category. Secondee members do not have voting/standing rights and must undertake continuing professional development.
*Please contact Member Services at
memberservices@step.ca
if you wish to apply for a restricted membership type.
