All students at the Art Students League who have completed 210 hours of class time (three months in a class meeting five days a week, roughly six months in part-time study, or roughly one full year of study in one-day-per-week classes) are eligible to become members of the Art Students League of New York. The same conditions for joining the League apply retroactively to those who have been students at the League but are no longer currently registered.

After entering their name in the book for prospective members in the League office, candidates must have one proposing member sign the book, and two subsequent members sign by the candidate's name as sponsors. If elected at the next membership meeting, candidates must then sign the League's Constitution and pay the annual dues of $35 within thirty days from the date of their election. After ten years (upon the eleventh payment of dues), League members become Life Members, who pay no further dues and remain members with all the privileges of membership.

All members have the right to vote and voice opinions at members' meetings, and also the right to vote and run for the Board of Control. The late afternoon Life Sketch Classes during the Fall/Winter session (5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) are free to League members. On Saturdays during the Fall/Winter session there are morning and afternoon Life Classes open to all members, an $8 fee for each half day.  All League members receive Linea: The Journal of the Art Students League of New York, which appears three times a year containing articles on art and art education reflecting the views and opinions of instructors, members, and other contributors. All League Members receive notification of League activities, including lectures and meetings.