In addition to NCs the CIE also recognizes other types of membership: Associate National Committees, Affiliate Members, and Supportive Members. 

Currently the CIE comprises 40 member bodies from the following countries or geographical regions:

The affairs of the CIE are discussed and decided by the General Assembly, consisting of the Presidents of the NCs. The General Assembly meets at least every four years during the Quadrennial Sessions of the CIE but usually also holds a Midterm Meeting between the Sessions.

Between these meetings of the General Assembly the administrative responsibility and the technical activities are delegated to the CIE Governing Board. This Board consists of the President, the President Elect, Treasurer and Secretary and an appropriate number of Vice Presidents, and the Division Directors (see further under Divisions). These officers are elected for a 4 year term by the National Committees (General Assembly).

The daily work of the CIE is managed by the staff at the CIE Central Bureau, the headquarters of the CIE which is based in Vienna, Austria. This work encompasses supporting the work of the GA, BA and the Divisions; including the promotion of the CIE, preparation of CIE events, liaison with other organizations (including the ISO and IEC) and the publication of CIE technical work.

MEETINGS

Every four years the CIE holds a Session, hosted by one of the member countries, which serves the very useful purpose of bringing together all the representatives of the National Committees who are interested in the technical activities of the organization. The Sessions involve the presentation of papers as well as meetings of Divisions and Technical Committees. During the Session the General Assembly meets to review and discuss the administrative and technical affairs of the CIE, make plans for the future, and elect the officers for the coming quadrennium.

The Board usually meet once a year, the Divisions at least every other year, and Technical Committees as often as is necessary to accomplish their objectives. In addition, the Divisions are encouraged to sponsor symposia and other meetings, especially in cooperation with other international bodies, to help further the work of the CIE.

The Future

Over the years the administrative and technical organization of the CIE has been modified to meet changing needs and conditions. However, its basic objectives remain the same. The great growth in its technical activities emphasizes that the CIE is involved in a multidisciplinary field of endeavor. It thus is necessary that every effort must continue to be made to enlist the combined expertise of architects, designers, engineers, physicists, biologists, physiologists, psychologists, eye and health care professionals and many others in its technical work. Accomplishing this is the real challenge of the future.