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Becoming a Member
Becoming a Member

Membership enables you to trade specific products at reduced rates and to trade directly from the trading floor. You can apply for and hold a membership at CME, CBOT or both exchanges – depending on the products that interest you. Members are also shareholders in CME or CBOT, holding specially designated shares that convey specific privileges. 

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Benefits of CME Membership

The membership tradition and business model has helped create some of the most liquid markets in the world, which translate into strong shareholder value. Benefits of CME membership include:

  • Reduced rates and lower fees
  • Voting rights in the form of Class B shares
  • Lease privileges
CME Membership Requirements

Individual membership requirements

To be an individual member of CME, you must be at an adult and must possess:
  • Good moral character
  • A good reputation
  • Business integrity
  • Adequate financial resources to assume the responsibilities and privileges of membership

If you meet these requirements we welcome your application. 

Application process

To apply for CME membership you must submit:
  • A typewritten application for membership, which includes
    • Answers to questions on education, employment, residential and disciplinary history; and
    • Completion of the financial statement of assets, liabilities and net worth;
  • A $2,000 non-refundable fee made payable to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange;
  • Two 2” x 2” passport-quality color photographs; and
  • A certified birth certificate or passport 

Posting requirements

During the application process, we:
  • List the name of each applicant in our Weekly Special Executive Report
  • Post your photo on the CME Group trading floor 

Timing for purchase

If we approve your membership application, you have 30 days to acquire a membership.

You can acquire a membership via:
  • Purchase
  • Gift
  • Lease
  • Family transfer
  • Firm transfer 

Before trading

Before you begin trading on the trading floor as a CME member, you must:
  • Attend a mandatory floor orientation program, including a written exam. Be qualified to trade by a clearing member
  • Be registered with the National Futures Association (NFA) as either a floor trader or floor broker before you start trading on the floor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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