Other classes of membership cannot upgrade to Fellow.  For one to contest the post of President of the Institute one has to be a Fellow.  Fellows would be Full Members holding the under-listed qualifications and possessing the under-listed qualities and experience in either commerce and industry or academia:

1. 1. Degree in Marketing from the Copperbelt University or equivalent recognised Degree in Marketing from a recognised university; or
   2. Postgraduate Degree in Marketing; or
   3. Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing assessed using the TEVETA criteria; or
   4. Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing; or
   5. Has significantly generated new product innovations and development; or
   6. Has introduced unique marketing practices in commerce and industry; or
   7. Has been engaged in marketing practice at Functional Head level of Marketing Manager and/or Marketing Director in a reputable or formal organisation or as a Marketing Consultant for ten (10) years and above; or
   8. Has significantly contributed to the body of Marketing knowledge through professional publications and literature; or
   9. Has consistently undertaken advanced research in marketing academia for a minimum of ten (10) years; or
   10. Has been engaged in marketing practice as a Senior Lecturer at either a reputable college or university for ten (10) years; or
   11. Must have served for an additional seven (7) years in industry or academia from the time of being admitted as Full Member of the Zambia Institute of Marketing.

Applicants for Fellowship must provide two (2) written references from one Fellow of the Zambia Institute of Marketing and his/her current or previous employers clearly authenticating the attainments of the applicant thereby indicating his/her suitability for the membership of Fellowship category.

Full Members would be persons who have attained the age of 21 years old and above and holding the following qualifications and relevant experience in either commerce and industry or academia:

1. 1. 1. Recognised Diploma in Marketing or equivalence of the ZIM Professional Diploma in Marketing; or
      2. Degree in Marketing from the Copperbelt University or equivalent recognised Degree in Marketing from a recognised university; or
      3. Postgraduate Degree in Marketing; or
      4. Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing assessed using the TEVETA criteria; or
      5. Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing; and
      6. Has a minimum of three (3) years relevant marketing experience in either commerce and industry or academia.

This class of membership is not eligible to contest for any position on the Council though they are eligible to vote at the AGM.  Graduate Members are eligible for upgrade to Full Membership upon attaining the minimum practical experience in marketing.  These would be persons holding the following qualifications:

1. 1. 1. Recognised Diploma in Marketing or equivalence of the ZIM Professional Diploma in Marketing; or
      2. Degree in Marketing from the Copperbelt University or equivalent recognised Degree in Marketing from a recognised university; or
      3. Postgraduate Degree in Marketing; or
      4. Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing assessed using the TEVETA criteria; or
      5. Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.

Associate Members are not eligible to contest any positions on the ZIM Council though they have the right to vote.  Associate Members would be persons holding the following qualifications with relevant marketing experience in commerce and industry:

1. 1. 1. Degree or Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration, Economics, or Commerce; or
      2. Degree or Postgraduate Degree in Public Administration, Mass Communication, Sociology, Psychology, Engineering, or any other recognised Degree or Postgraduate Degree from a recognised University;
      3. Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma in Marketing; or
      4. Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma without marketing specialisation assessed using the TEVETA criteria; and
      5. A minimum of three (3) years marketing experience in commerce and industry.

Student Members are not eligible to contest any positions on the Council and are not eligible to vote.  They can attend the AGM as observers only but not to participate in any deliberations.  The following are the approved programmes for eligibility as Student Member:

1. 1. 1. Recognised Certificate, Advanced Certificate or equivalence of the ZIM Professional Diploma in Marketing; or
      2. Degree in Marketing from the Copperbelt University or equivalent recognised Degree in Marketing from a recognised University; or
      3. Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing assessed using the TEVETA criteria; or
      4. Chartered Institute of Marketing programme; and
      5. Must be registered as a Marketing Student at a recognised Training Institution approved by the Council.