Students are selected for membership through local school chapters. Students who have been enrolled at the school for the equivalent of one semester and who meet their chapter’s cumulative GPA requirement (Scholarship) are candidates for membership. Candidates are then considered for membership based on meeting their chapter’s requirements for service, leadership, and character. Membership decisions are made by the chapter’s 5-member faculty council, and a majority vote of the council is required for selection. See the How to Become a Student Member section for more information.

Full-time homeschooled students are not eligible for NHS but may be eligible for membership through a homeschool honor society.

No. NJHS and NHS are separate programs with different requirements for membership. NHS members are selected through the NHS chapter at their school. The NJHS membership does not automatically convert to NHS membership.

Selected and nonselected candidates are notified by their local chapter.

Membership selection takes place only through school-based NHS chapters.There is no option to join NHS through the national office or through our website.

All chapters are required to publish a description of their selection procedure in an official school publication that is widely available to students and parents. This requirement is outlined in article IX of the NHS Constitution. Publication locations include school websites or student handbooks. If you are not able to find information about your chapter in these locations, contact your school’s NHS adviser or school principal.

Many chapters offer appeals for non-selection. Principals have the authority to hear appeals. The national office does not hear appeals for student membership decisions, and cannot reverse a chapter’s selection decision.

Yes. Your NHS adviser or principal should provide a letter of verification to your new chapter. Membership transfers automatically between NHS chapters. Members must meet the new chapter’s standards within one semester to retain membership (see Article VIII of the NHS Constitution).