How to Become a Knights Templar Today: 6 Practical Steps

Short answer: you cannot join the original medieval Knights Templar as an active order; it was suppressed in 1312. You can apply to a modern organization that uses Templar names or traditions, but each group sets its own rules.

I checked the published guidance from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A., for its specific membership route. At CareersForge, we want to separate that modern process from the history: one group’s requirements do not apply to every organization.

How to Become a Knights Templar

If you mean joining a group today, first choose the specific organization and country, then confirm its current application rules directly with that organization. There is no single worldwide application, age limit, background-check policy, or timeline for every group.

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1. Decide whether you want to study the medieval order or apply to a modern organization.
2. Choose a named organization in your country and identify its governing body or local chapter.
3. Read the current membership requirements on its official website; do not assume rules from another group apply.
4. Confirm prerequisites, dues, recurring costs, expected time commitment, and the steps after applying.
5. Verify the group’s contact details and ask the local chapter to confirm the process before sharing sensitive documents or paying a fee.
6. Apply only if the organization’s aims and obligations match what you are looking for.

If your interest is specifically the U.S. York Rite route, our separate guide to becoming a member of the Knights Templar covers that narrower membership intent.

Can I join the Knights Templar today?

You cannot join the original medieval order as a current member. English Heritage says the order was suppressed in 1312. Modern organizations may use Templar names, symbols, or traditions, but those facts alone do not establish that a present-day group is the same continuing institution.

For historical context, read our overview of how men entered the medieval Templar order. The historical path and a modern membership application are different questions.

Is there a legitimate Knights Templar organization I can join?

There are modern organizations that use the Knights Templar name, but “legitimate” depends on what you mean: a currently operating organization, a recognized body within a specific tradition, or a documented historical connection. Check the group’s legal or governing identity, location, named officers, current contact information, and published membership terms. Be cautious of claims of wealth, secret power, or guaranteed access that the organization cannot substantiate.

Before applying, ask who runs the local chapter, how dues are set, whether there are ongoing fees, and where the group’s published rules can be read. An organization should be able to explain its own process clearly.

Do I have to be a Freemason to join the Knights Templar?

It depends on the organization. The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A., says a petitioner must first belong to a Masonic Lodge and prerequisite bodies such as a Royal Arch Chapter, and may also need a Council of Royal and Select Masters. Those requirements describe that U.S. body; they are not universal rules for every group using Templar language. Check the Grand Encampment’s current “How to Join” guidance and confirm details with the relevant local Commandery.

How long does it take to become a Knight Templar?

There is no verified standard timeline across modern organizations. A process may depend on local meeting schedules, prerequisites, and that group’s own review steps. Ask the organization for its current timeline instead of relying on a general claim such as “several months” or “one year.”

How can I verify an organization before applying?

• The exact name of the organization and the jurisdiction its rules cover.
• Any prerequisites, including Masonic or religious requirements, stated in writing.
• Application, initiation, annual, travel, and regalia costs, including which fees are refundable.
• Expected meeting frequency, volunteer duties, and any time commitment.
• A reliable local contact who can confirm the process through the organization’s official channel.

The requirements are organization-specific. If a rule is not published, ask for it in writing before you make a decision.

Where can I learn more about the medieval Templars?

Start with a historical source for the medieval order and the current official membership page for the modern group you are considering. English Heritage summarizes the medieval order’s suppression; the Grand Encampment explains its own U.S. process. Our related article on Templars and their contemporaries compares the medieval context without treating present-day organizations as the same order.

That distinction is the practical answer: the medieval Knights Templar cannot be joined today, while some modern organizations accept members under their own rules. Verify the exact organization, check its current requirements, and make the decision with clear expectations.

Rodrigo Durães

Rodrigo Durães is the founder and editor of CareersForge, where he publishes career-development resources on career planning, resumes, interviews, and job search. His professional experience and education are listed on his LinkedIn profile, including his role as Global CEO of VisionCorp International from 2011 to 2023. View Rodrigo’s LinkedIn profile.