Any institution meeting the following criteria may apply to the IABCU Board for membership:

• A post-secondary institution of Christian higher education accredited by a CHEA (Council on Higher Education Accreditation) recognized accrediting agency appropriate to the mission of the school. International institutions should be approved by either their government or by an accrediting agency in their country recognized by CHEA;
• Status as a non-profit organization;
• Affiliation with or in cooperation with a Baptist association or convention;
• Identification of itself as a Baptist institution;
• Commitment to the principles historically held by Baptists.

After the IABCU Board makes its recommendation, the decision on membership is made by a majority vote to the members of the Association, guided by their interpretation of the above criteria.