How To Join The Knights Templar: Complete Step-by-Step Qualification Guide

Joining the modern Knights Templar requires first becoming a Master Mason in good standing within a recognized Grand Lodge of Freemasonry. Candidates must then progress through the York Rite degree system before petitioning a local Commandery to receive the Orders of Chivalry. Additionally, prospective Templars must profess a belief in the Christian faith and commit to defending the principles of Christian chivalry.

Pre-Petition Eligibility & Membership Prerequisites

The modern Knights Templar operate as the final branch of the York Rite of Freemasonry (under bodies such as the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America or the Great Priories of Canada and England). While non-Masonic international fraternities (such as OSMTH) exist, the historical line of chivalric Masonic Commandery membership requires strict adherence to Masonic protocol.

Before initiating a petition to a local Commandery, candidates must verify that they meet all administrative, spiritual, and organizational prerequisites.

Essential Requirements Checklist

• Masonic Good Standing: Active membership as a 3rd Degree Master Mason in a regular Blue Lodge recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) or a state Grand Lodge in mutual amity.
• Capitular & Cryptic Qualifications: Completion of the Royal Arch degrees within a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. In many jurisdictions, completion of the Cryptic Masonry degrees within a Council of Royal & Select Masters is also a mandatory prerequisite.
• Faith Requirement: A sincere declaration to profess and defend the Christian religion. Unlike the foundational Blue Lodge, which requires only a belief in a Supreme Being, the Masonic Knights Templar is explicitly a Christian chivalric order.
• Estimated Budget Standard:
  
  
  • Blue Lodge & York Rite Petition Fees: $150 – $400 (variable by lodge/chapter).
  • Commandery Petition Fee: $100 – $250.
  • Annual Commandery Dues: $50 – $150 per year.
  • Official Class A Uniform & Chivalric Regalia: $350 – $900 (includes fatigue coat, chapeau, sword, belt, and jewel set).
• Time Commitment Benchmark: Expect 6 to 18 months to advance through the prerequisite Blue Lodge and York Rite degrees before being knighted in a Commandery.

The Step-by-Step Pathway to Templar Knighthood

Step 1: Attain the Degree of Master Mason in a Recognized Blue Lodge

The foundational prerequisite for all Templar orders is achieving the rank of Master Mason.

1. Locate a regular Masonic Lodge chartered by a recognized Grand Lodge in your jurisdiction.
2. Submit an official petition for the Mysteries of Freemasonry, supported by the signatures of two active lodge members who act as recommenders.
3. Pass a background check and a unanimous ballot by the lodge membership.
4. Consecutively receive the three symbolic degrees:
   
   
   • Entered Apprentice (1st Degree)
   • Fellowcraft (2nd Degree)
   • Master Mason (3rd Degree)
5. Complete the required memory proficiency (catechism) for each degree according to your jurisdiction's Masonic Code.

Pro-Tip: Ensure your Blue Lodge holds recognition from a "Regular" Grand Lodge. Petitions from irregular, clandestine, or co-Masonic bodies will be automatically rejected by York Rite Commanderies.

Step 2: Complete the Capitular Degrees in a Royal Arch Chapter

Once raised as a Master Mason, you must apply to join the York Rite system starting with the Royal Arch Masons (the Chapter).

1. Petition a local Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
2. Receive the four Capitular Degrees in sequence:
   
   
   • Mark Master Degree: Expands on the operative lodge traditions of stone craft.
   • Past Master Degree (Virtual): Teaches leadership principles within the chair.
   • Most Excellent Master Degree: Commemorates the completion and dedication of King Solomon's Temple.
   • Royal Arch Mason Degree: Represents the climax of ancient Craft Masonry, recovering long-lost Masonic secrets.

Step 3: Complete the Cryptic Degrees in a Council of Royal & Select Masters

In most Grand Encampment jurisdictions, completing the Cryptic Council degrees is either mandatory or highly recommended prior to Commandery entry.

1. Petition a local Council of Cryptic Masons.
2. Receive the Cryptic Degrees:
   
   
   • Royal Master Degree
   • Select Master Degree
   • Super Excellent Master Degree (Optional in some jurisdictions, but widely conferred).
3. Obtain your certificate of good standing from the Council recorder.

Warning: Certain state jurisdictions allow a "Fast-Track" or "Festival" system where Chapter, Council, and Commandery degrees are conferred over a single weekend. While legally valid, this condensed route significantly reduces comprehension of the esoteric ritual progressions.

Step 4: Submit a Petition to a Local Knights Templar Commandery

With your Chapter and Council degrees completed, you are qualified to petition a Commandery of Knights Templar.

1. Obtain a petition form from the Recorder of the local Commandery.
2. Secure the signatures of two active Sir Knights of the Commandery to sponsor your application.
3. Submit the form alongside the required initiation fee.
4. Affirm your allegiance to the Christian faith on the petition document.
5. Await the report of the appointed Investigation Committee and the subsequent secret ballot conducted during a stated conclave.

Step 5: Receive the Orders of Masonic Knighthood

Upon a clear ballot, you will be scheduled to receive the three Orders conferred by the Commandery. These are not called "degrees," but rather "Orders of Chivalry."

1. The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross: Connects the Royal Arch context to the rebuilding of the second temple, highlighting the virtue of Truth.
2. The Degree of Knight of Malta (Order of Malta): Transitionally shifts the candidate from Old Testament history to the New Testament, instilling Christian chivalric traditions and the history of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem.
3. The Order of the Temple: The solemn culmination of the York Rite. The candidate undergoes a spiritual pilgrimage, takes the vows of a Knight Templar, and is formally dubbed a Sir Knight by the Commander.

Step 6: Procure Official Regalia and Maintain Active Standing

Following your consecration as a Sir Knight, you must outfit yourself with uniform gear compliant with your state’s Grand Commandery regulations.

1. Purchase an approved Knights Templar uniform consisting of the double-breasted dress coat, trousers, chapeau (with appropriate plume color matching your officer status), sidearms (sword and scabbard), and breast jewels.
2. Attend monthly stated conclaves, participate in drill team exercises, and participate in local chivalric service initiatives.

Structural Comparison of Modern Templar Affiliations and Degrees

Navigating Common Application Obstacles and Regalia Failures

Scenario 1: Applying to an Irregular or Non-Masonic "Templar" Organization

• Root Cause: Confusion between the officially recognized Masonic Knights Templar (Grand Encampment) and non-Masonic, self-styled orders operating on the internet without historic Masonic charter.
• Actionable Fix: Verify that the body you are petitioning is recognized by the Grand Lodge of your state or country. Legitimate Templar Commanderies require verified Masonic credentials. Check for affiliation with the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA or recognized international Great Priories.

Scenario 2: Rejection Due to Faith Requirement Discrepancies

• Root Cause: Assuming that because Blue Lodge Freemasonry accepts members of all faiths, the Knights Templar does the same.
• Actionable Fix: Understand that while Craft Masonry requires only a general belief in a Supreme Being, the Commandery explicitly requires candidates to swear to defend the Christian faith. If you cannot conscientiously profess a belief in the Christian faith, consider pursuing the Scottish Rite degrees (up to 32nd Degree) or remaining active in the Royal Arch Chapter, which remain non-denominational.

Scenario 3: Disqualification at Uniform Inspection

• Root Cause: Purchasing unauthorized regalia online that fails to match local Grand Commandery dress codes (e.g., incorrect plume colors, non-regulation sword lengths, or wrong sleeve sleeve-cuff insignias).
• Actionable Fix: Consult your Commandery Recorder or Captain General before purchasing any uniform items. Ensure your chapeau plume matches your rank (black/white for Sir Knights, red for Commanders/Past Commanders, purple for Grand Officers) and that your sword length matches your hip-to-ankle metric.

Scenario 4: Progress Halts Due to Uncompleted Demits or Dues Delinquency

• Root Cause: Allowing Blue Lodge or Chapter dues to lapse during your Commandery petition phase.
• Actionable Fix: Knights Templar membership is contingent on continuous good standing in both Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter. If your lodge dues fall into arrears, your petition to the Commandery will be automatically suspended until a good-standing certificate is filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can women join the Knights Templar?

In the Masonic York Rite tradition, membership in the Knights Templar is restricted to men who are Master Masons. However, female relatives of Knights Templar can join affiliated organizations such as the Sovereign Order of the Beauceant or the Order of the Eastern Star, which support Templar charities and community initiatives.

Is the modern Knights Templar directly descended from the medieval order?

No direct historical or unbroken lineage connects the medieval Order of the Temple (suppressed in 1307) to modern Masonic Knights Templar. The modern order emerged in the 18th century within British and American Masonic lodges, adopting the chivalric symbols, Christian values, and ceremonial traditions of the historical Knights Templar.

How much does it cost to become a Knight Templar?

Total upfront costs range from $800 to $1,800. This estimate accounts for petition fees across the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery ($400–$800 cumulative), plus the purchase of an official regulation dress uniform, sword, and regalia ($400–$1,000).

Do I have to be a devout Christian to join?

Candidates must declare that they firmly profess a belief in the Christian religion and are willing to defend it. The order does not mandate specific theological dogma or denomination, accepting Trinitarian Christians across Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and non-denominational traditions.

Start Your Chivalric Progression Today

If you are already a Master Mason, contact your local York Rite body to petition the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and begin your advancement toward the Commandery. For those not yet initiated into Freemasonry, reach out to a regular Masonic Blue Lodge in your community to take the foundational first step toward Templar Knighthood.