Full membership is open to anyone who derives the bulk of his or her income from writing about science, technology, and related topics, or who edits such material or prepares it for broadcast. Associate membership is open at the Membership Committee's discretion, to those in related fields who wish to advance the aims of the Association. Full and associate members pay $25 (US) per year.

To further its aims at increasing contacts for science writers all over the world, ISWA issues an annual membership list available to members only (soon also to be available in a private zone on the ISWA website).

ISWA also provides members with a membership card that can be used to verify your press credentials.

ISWA publishes a periodic electronic newsletter and occasional special email bulletins to keep members up to date with professional developments in other countries, as well as news of international meetings, study and fellowship opportunities, and travel advisories. In the near future, certain electronic benefits will appear within a private area of the ISWA website.

ISWA traditionally has an annual meeting at the the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meetings early in each year.