The membership requirements for the St. Louis Film Critics Association are as follows:

Critics who are Full Members must produce reviews for a media outlet that is recognized by motion picture studios and local film public relations agencies representing the studios. The member's reviews must contain original critical commentary and illustrate a breadth of film knowledge. Reviews that include only plot summaries or information derived from press releases do not qualify.

A critic must watch and review at least 26 current feature-length motion pictures within each calendar year (January 1 - December 31). Qualifying films are those that are: 1) given a wide or limited theatrical release, including those films given concurrent digital multi-platform releases; or 2) screened at a film festival. A qualifying review must be published or broadcast in a timely manner, i.e. within seven days of the film's local opening or screening date. Reviews of theatrically re-released films or home video releases (e.g., DVDs, Blu-rays, or online streaming) do not qualify.

A qualifying standard review must be at least 300 words in length. Two capsule reviews of 100 to 299 words in length may be counted as one standard review. Two audio or video reviews may be counted as one standard review. Written reviews must be professionally edited and formatted, exhibit excellence in grammar and spelling, and accurate with respect to factual information. Reviews that are reprinted or rebroadcast in different formats or outlets, even with minor revisions, are not considered separately.

Qualifying print outlets must have a minimum verifiable circulation of 20,000. Qualifying radio and television outlets must be those that broadcast from an FCC-licensed station (commercial or public) or a satellite / Internet radio station with a wide audience. Qualifying online outlets must be consistently updated, professional in appearance, and have have a minimum of 5,000 unique visits per month. Podcasts do not qualify unless the audio reviews are originally broadcast on a qualifying radio or television outlet.

The membership requirements are formally described in the StLFCA's Bylaws.