FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
General
- Why Should I Join The US Press Association - The USPA
-
How do I join?
A detailed description of the registration process is located HERE
- How do I know what organizations are legitimate?
-
Why am I unable to log into the site?
There are several possible reasons, these are the most common
- You have not yet submitted your registration form. (Information provided during checkout is NOT the registration form.
- Your user account is not active yet. If you have recently joined, there may be a delay before access to the USPA member area is permitted.
- Your membership may be expired. If your membership is expired, once you purchase (renew) the membership type of your choice, your account will become active again and you will be able to log in.
- Be sure you are using the correct username & password (username is not your email address)
- If you completed the registration form using your email address as a username for login, try using everything before (@) as your username as the registration system will disregard the @ and everything after entered into the username field of the registration form. PLEASE NOT - email addresses are not used as usernames because many user profiles have their email address visible to the public.
- If you are trying to reset your password, you need to provide your 1. username and 2. the email address you signed up with to complete the reset password form. (There are times members have numerous email addresses. If you are not receiving your password reset link in your email, you may have registered with a different email address).
- If you have logged in before but find yourself unable to, it is possible you may have tried logging in to the site too many times with the wrong (username or password). If you attempt too many times unsuccessfully, the system will block your IP address from being able to access the site.
- Make sure there are NO SPACES in the user name. If you attempted to create a user name/login with a space, the space will automatically be removed leaving the rest of the alphanumeric characters the same.
- Be sure you are logging in to the correct area. Editors only will be able to log in using the login field in the top right of the website. Members should use the login menu located on the right side of the website located below the site (header/logo).
-
I just received confirmation from PayPal that I have completed my payment. How long do I have to wait for my member ID?
There are several answers to this question, and we encourage everyone to thoroughly read the Membership Registration Process Page HERE.
-
What does my ID photo need to look like and how do I upload my photo?
When you complete your membership application, you will be given a link on the page that follows once you have clicked submit. Please note that if you did not choose the option to include a photo on your ID, it will be up to you to place a passport size photo on the ID before lamination.The ID photo should be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size, have a solid background, be a direct view of the face (no profiles, no selfies )If these specifications have not been met, it could lead to additional time processing your member application or renewal.Additional information can be found on the Member Registration Process Page.
- What if I do not have a PayPal account, how can I pay?
- What is the status of my order?
-
What is a QR code?
The New US Press Association Member ID & Press Credentials now contain a QR Code. QR Code is short for Quick Response Code. Originally used in the automotive industry, they have quickly become utilized for many purposes due to fast readability by a wide range of devices and their ability to hold far more information than standard UPC barcodes.The QR Codes on the US Press Association Press Credentials will contain: Name, Member ID#, Join Date/Expiration Date, Title, Website Information (optional), Contact Information (optional). With the availability of QR/Barcode reading software and Apps for mobile devices, your QR Code can easily be scanned and offer a great deal of information about you almost instantly. This option has been suggested to us by several event planners and coordinators, and we listened. This technology has proved to be quite successful, especially in the political arena. While many people can offer up a business card, they can easily be lost, misplaced or damaged and unreadable. It is also possible to take a picture of an ID or business card, but there can also be issues with that as well such as blurred text, need to photograph both front and back to get all required information. With a QR code, this can be simply captured as an image and read later by software or scanned, decoded and saved instantly.New member ID cards & credentials will contain QR codes. Existing members have the option to receive new credentials with QR code for $8.00 HERE.
-
I am trying to reset my password but I am unable
- If you are trying to reset your password, you need to provide your 1. username and 2. the email address you signed up with to complete the reset password form. (There are times members have numerous email addresses. If you are not receiving your password reset link in your email, you may have registered with a different email address).
- If either the username or email you type into the reset request is not correct, the password reset link will not be sent. It is also case sensitive. If you signed up with Name @ name . com than you would need to type it that exact way in the password reset request. This is for the security of your account.
- When completing the signup form you should be sure to *note the username, password and the email address you are signing up with!
- How do I find Jobs or Assignments?
- How can I apply for credentials for a (concert, trade show, sporting event) or other venue/event?
-
How Do I Get A Press Pass
The US Press Association assists members in acquiring the appropriate credentials in several ways. The following page has more information on how we can help you get a press pass for the event, venue etc. that you would like to cover.
How Do I Get A Press Pass
-
How Do I Get A Press Pass For Concerts
The US Press Association assists members in acquiring the appropriate credentials in several ways. The following page has more information on how we can help you get a press pass for the event, venue etc. that you would like to cover.
How Do I Get A Press Pass For Concerts
-
How Do I Get A Press Pass For Political Events
The US Press Association assists members in acquiring the appropriate credentials in several ways. The following page has more information on how we can help you get a press pass for the event, venue etc. that you would like to cover.
How Do I Get A Press Pass For Political Events
-
How long is my membership for?
Your membership can be good for different durations. A standard membership expires 1 year from the day you become a member. Occasionally we have promotions that will add additional time to your membership (1 year, 2 years) etc. You also have the option to purchase a multi-year membership or even a Lifetime Membership.
Either way, the membership expiration will be found on the lower right of your ID Card.
Membership will typically auto renew (this is the default option when purchasing a membership). If you have opted not to have auto renewal, membership renewal should be done prior to membership expiration to allow time for you to receive your new ID card before the old ID card expires. If your membership does expire the cost of membership would be the standard cost as opposed to the renewal cost unless you have received a renewal notice via email with a valid renewal discount code.
We reward members for choosing early renewal by adding additional time to the length of their membership.
- Does the US Press Association provide legal services or counsel?
-
Looking for support options?
If you are looking for technical support for member account related issues (submitting content, changing profile information, unable to access various member website menus, help submitting credential assistance requests, requesting assignment letters) you can start an online chat with a representative by using the website chat feature, or submit a ticket HERE.
If you are looking for new membership, renewal or billing support, you can start an online chat with a representative by using the website chat feature, or submit a ticket HERE.
If you are looking for phone support, you can call 800-989-5123. Please keep in mind that all US Press Association support roles are performed by member volunteers. If there is a delay with receiving a reply via telephone, you can always start an online chat with a representative by using the website chat feature, or submit a ticket HERE. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact us via email at volunteer @ uspressassociation . com
-
About the US Press Association website
Diverging from the conventional news model, the US Press Association website serves as a distinctive platform, spotlighting a varied array of member-generated content while emphasizing that it is not intended as a primary source for current news or events. Rather than functioning as a traditional news outlet, the site acts as a promotional hub, featuring randomized material with links to individual writers' websites. It is crucial to note that the expressed opinions are the sole responsibility of the individual contributors and may not align with the organization's stance. Users are advised against relying on the platform for up-to-the-minute news, as its primary mission is to showcase members, their work, and respective websites, fostering a dynamic space for diverse voices within the media landscape.
- Are there any current promotional offers?
-
Why hasn’t my membership processed Or How come I can’t find my profile page?
Sometimes registration instructions have not been followed completely. This can result in a delay processing your membership and also a delay in your membership profile being visible on the website. For help with these issues, contact a USPA representative. While you can call or email, sometimes you can receive a faster response by starting a chat with an online representative.
*New Ways To Pay*