Country guide / United States
American Freemasonry is decentralised. Each state Grand Lodge is sovereign, Prince Hall Affiliated Masonry has its own historic jurisdictions, and appendant systems vary.
01 / Start here
There is no single national Grand Lodge governing Craft Masonry in the United States. Recognition, ritual, joining rules and availability must be checked with the relevant state Grand Lodge.
Always verify recognition and membership requirements with the Grand Lodge governing the Lodge concerned. A national appendant body does not supersede the authority of a state Grand Lodge.
02 / Two historic traditions
Across the country, historically mainstream and Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges operate as sovereign jurisdictions. Recognition between them is decided jurisdiction by jurisdiction.
State Grand Lodges
The Conference of Grand Masters brings together the 50 United States Grand Lodges, the District of Columbia and other North American members, but it does not govern them. Each member Grand Lodge remains sovereign.
Conference and member contacts ↗
Prince Hall Affiliated
Prince Hall Masonry traces its authority to African Lodge, chartered by the Grand Lodge of England in 1784. Its state Grand Lodges are sovereign and meet through their own Conference of Grand Masters.
Read the official history ↗03 / The common landscape
All begin with the three symbolic degrees. The bodies beyond the Lodge are voluntary and confer no authority over a Master Mason who does not join them.
04 / York Rite
The American York Rite is usually encountered as Chapter, Council and Commandery. A recognised Master Mason petitions a Royal Arch Chapter first. After the Holy Royal Arch, he may become eligible for Cryptic Masonry or the Christian Orders of a Commandery.
Official membership and state contacts ↗Commonly works Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Mason. Details are set by the relevant Grand Chapter.
General Grand Chapter ↗Commonly works Royal Master and Select Master, with Super Excellent Master available in many jurisdictions.
General Grand Council ↗Confers Orders rather than degrees and culminates in the Order of the Temple. Its ceremonies and membership are explicitly Christian.
Grand Encampment ↗05 / Scottish Rite
15 statesConnecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. Local bodies are called Valleys.
Find a Northern Valley ↗Headquartered at the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C. Its traditional bodies are the Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council of Kadosh and Consistory.
Official structure and FAQ ↗Prince Hall Affiliated Scottish Rite is governed through its own Northern and Southern United Supreme Councils. Members should use their Prince Hall Grand Lodge or recognised Supreme Council directory rather than assume the two jurisdictions above govern every American Scottish Rite Mason.
06 / Fellowship and service
These bodies are part of the wider American Masonic landscape. They are not additional ranks and should not be confused with the sovereign Grand Lodge system.
A fraternity centred on fellowship and philanthropy. A man must first be a Master Mason in good standing before petitioning a Shrine temple.
Official joining pathway ↗The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm promotes good fellowship, friendship, fun and humanitarian work among Master Masons.
Official history and media ↗An affiliated organisation for Master Masons and women with specified Masonic relationships. Eligibility and recognition are governed locally.
General Grand Chapter ↗A Masonic-sponsored leadership organisation for young men. It is not a degree of Freemasonry and membership does not make someone a Mason.
Official DeMolay site ↗07 / Before you petition
Use the Conference of Grand Masters or BeAFreemason directory, then confirm the Lodge appears on that Grand Lodge's own site.
Mainstream and Prince Hall recognition differs by state. Never infer recognition from a national logo or social-media claim.
Good standing, residence, waiting periods, faith declarations and petition procedures are jurisdiction-specific.
For an appendant body, start with its national or Supreme Council directory and confirm the local body is chartered.
08 / Verified starting points