All new member starts at the 1 Star rating. There are certain requirements for a member to advance in rank in both the Digital Image and Audio Visual categories.

Digital Images

1-Star to 2-Star
26 points which must include 6 Gold awards.

2-Star to 3-Star
48 points which must include 12 Gold awards.

3-Star to 4-Star
98 points which must include 24 Gold Awards, as well as 3 Salon points.

4-Star to 5-Star
120 points which must include 30 Gold Awards, as well as 10 Salon points.

5-Star to 5-Star Masters
200 points which must include 50 Gold Awards, as well as 30 Salon points.

Audio Visuals

1 STAR
All members start in the 1 Star section. To advance to the next grade i.e. 2 Star, the member must show 2 audio visual sequences demonstrating to the panel of judges that he is capable of using his equipment.

2 STAR
To gain promotion to the next grade i.e. 3 Star, a member must produce and show at least 2 further different audiovisual sequences of a calibre suitable for entering in a Club Competition and which, according to a panel of judges, would be suitable for a public showing.

3 STAR
In order to move on to the 4 Star section, a member must produce and show at least 2 further different audio visual sequences, one of which has won an award in a Club Competition and one that would be suitable for public showing at National level.

4 STAR
To advance from 4 to 5 Star, at least 2 further audio visual sequences, produced by the member must be suitable for National viewing. In addition, the member must have contributed actively to the club, either in the form of articles contributed to the Club Magazine or website and/or given lectures and demonstrations to members of the Club at a monthly meeting.

5 STAR
This is the highest level of grading that can be reached within the Club. By this time, the member is expected to be ready to apply for his/her Associateship of PSSA.

ASSOCIATESHIP OF PSSA
Three audio visual sequences must be submitted comprising a minimum of 15 images per sequence, with a recommended maximum showing time of 10 minutes per sequence, supported by a recorded commentary and/or with or without musical accompaniment or sound effects. A successful applicant is permitted to add the letters APSSA to his name.

FELLOWSHIP OF PSSA
This is PSSA's highest award for audio visual presentations. The requirement here is an APSSA plus 4 additional audio visual sequences of the highest standard. A successful applicant is permitted to add the letters FPSSA to his/her name.