Members of Phi Delta Kappa who are already employed in the profession range from classroom teachers and school administrators to college and university professors and to educational specialists of many types. In Phi Delta Kappa, this diverse membership finds a fellowship based on common interests and a common focus on the promotion and improvement of education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education. There are currently more than 600 Phi Delta Kappa chapters in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Approximately half of the chapters are based on college or university campuses that have graduate departments of education. The other half are community-based.
Membership is obtained by chapter invitation or through self-nomination.
Individuals wishing to become international at-large members can apply directly to Phi Delta Kappa International Headquarters. Eligibility for such membership terminates when a holder moves into one of the eight districts. Associate members are entitled to all rights and privileges of membership in Phi Delta Kappa, except for participation in the governance structure of the organization, which is reserved to regular members. Chapters also offer a student membership to college or university undergraduate students whose course work is leading toward educator certification. This is an annual membership, subject to renewal at the chapter's discretion.