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Grain exporting companies, flour and feed mill operators, elevator operators, commodity brokerage houses, and individuals make up the membership of the Kansas City Board of Trade.

Many members are salaried individuals working for grain firms or brokerage houses, but many more are former lawyers, merchants and teachers who were tired of working for somebody else and decided to strike out on their own. The only requirements to become a member are that a person must be at least 18 years old, of good character and credit, and must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Applicants must complete the exchange's orientation program before gaining access to the trading floor. The orientation class, presented by the exchange's regulatory division, focuses on trading rules and practices, and includes a mock trading session.

To become a member, an individual must purchase either a class "A" or class "B" seat and have net worth of $25,000. By purchasing either membership, an individual gains access to the trading floor and all its amenities. These include quote services, instant news and weather information, and computer-generated trading vehicles of all kinds. Membership also makes trading more affordable, as members are exempt from exchange fees on their trades.

A Class A membership is an equity membership, which allows trading in any KCBT product. Class A members gain one share of ownership in the exchange itself and have a full vote in every election; therefore, they have more say in the direction of the exchange. There are 192 Class A seats.

A Class B membership allows its owner to trade Value Line® stock index futures and options. Class B members may only vote in elections pertaining to Value Line. In the annual election of officers, the vote from a Class B member counts as one-quarter of a vote. There are 60 Class B memberships.

Both membership types are available for lease by meeting the same requirements as purchasers. A membership may be leased for a minimum of three months. Individuals who lease may trade for their own accounts and/or serve as brokers, but may not represent a firm or partnership.

Being a member of the KCBT has always brought a certain status, and many well-known figures in Kansas City history were members of the exchange. Today is no different, as KCBT's members play an important role in the local and national scene.