The only national literary agent association in the United States is the AAR, a nonprofit organization that was formed in 1991 by the merger of the Society of Authors' Representatives, which was founded in 1928, and the Independent Literary Agents Association, which was founded in 1977. To join the organization, literary agents must agree to conform to the AAR's by-laws and Canon of Ethics. The most important principle of the AAR is that its members are forbidden to charge a reading fee to potential clients. Instead, they make all of their money on commission.
Membership in the AAR gives literary agents legitimacy. It also allows them to stay up to date on changes in their industry via newsletters and conferences. It also fosters communication between literary agencies. As of 2011, dues are $150 per year plus a $150 initiation fee. To qualify, an agent must have been involved in a book sale 18 months prior to his application and have two member agents nominate her for admission. The AAR allows authors to view its members' profiles, which can include information on genres they represent, whether or not they are taking on new clients, the best way to contact them and submission procedures. The search field is customizable by name and agency and also includes pertinent biographical information on each agent. As of 2011, more than 460 agents are listed as members of the AAR.
Although the AAR is the association for literary agents in the United States and Canada, other associations exist for literary agents abroad. The Australian Literary Agents' Association, formed in 2003, is designed exclusively for Australian agents. Like the AAR, the Australian Literary Agents' Association has its own code of practice. Like the AAR, the Australian Literary Agents' Association holds its members to a strict code of conduct, including no reading fees charges. To qualify, members must have been in business for 3 years and must have sold more than 10 books or have made AUD $250,000 in 2 years.
In the United Kingdom, the Association of Authors' Agents is home to the majority of established UK literary agencies. Like the AAR, the Association of Authors' Agents is a forum that allows its members to discuss industry matters and maintain a code of good practice. As with the other associations, members of the Association of Authors' Agents are not allowed to charge a reading fee. To qualify for inclusion in the association, you must have been an agent for 2 years.