Membership is open to FAO Member Nations or Associate Members. It has no cost attached to it. The Commission may, by a two-thirds majority of its membership, admit to membership such other nations that are members of the United Nations, any of its specialized agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency. FAO Member Nations that are not Members of the Commission may, upon request, be represented as observers at sessions of the Commission .

To apply for an IPC membership a country needs to fulfill three basic requirements:

1. Be a member of FAO (or be a Member of the United Nations, of any of its Specialized Agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency).
2. Submit a formal application and a declaration of acceptance of the Convention as in force at the time of admission. The document must be signed by the Head of State or by the Head of Government or by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or by the Minister of the Department concerned e.g. the Minister of Agriculture and/or Forestry.
3. Establish a National Commission composed of all the national stakeholders (government, institutions, research bodies, growers, users…)