General Requirements for Freemasonry

Generally, to be accepted for initiation as a regular Freemason, a candidate must:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry#cite_note-Aims_and_Relationships-20" >[21]</a>

<ul >

<li >Be a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man" title="Man" >man</a> who comes of his own free will.</li>

<li >Believe in a Supreme Being (the form of which is left to open interpretation by the candidate).</li>

</ul>

<ul >

<li >Be at least the minimum age (from 18–25 years old depending on the jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions the son of a Mason, known as a "Lewis," may join at an earlier age than others).</li>

</ul>

<ul >

<li >Be of good morals, and of good reputation.</li>

<li >Be of sound mind and body (lodges had in the past denied membership to a man because of a physical disability; however, now, if a potential candidate says a disability will not cause problems, it will not be held against him).</li>

<li >Be free-born (or "born free", i.e., not born a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery" title="Slavery" >slave</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom" title="Serfdom" >bondsman</a>).<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry#cite_note-59" >[60]</a> As with the previous, this is entirely an historical holdover, and can be interpreted in the same manner as it is in the context of being entitled to write a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_(law)" title="Will (law)" >will</a>. Some jurisdictions have removed this requirement.</li>

<li >Be capable of furnishing character references, as well as one or two references from current Masons, depending on jurisdiction.</li>

</ul>

Some Grand Lodges in the United States have an additional residence requirement, candidates being expected to have lived within the jurisdiction for a certain period of time, typically six months.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry#cite_note-60" >[61]</a>

Having been elected and initiated, a member may subsequently resign from membership if he so desires. Additionally, the fraternity may either suspend or expel a member for cause.