Trustee Board Regulation 1.2 specifies that the award may be made even if the individual in question is not already a member of BCS and may not be eligible for any other class of membership.
The award was first approved in 1969 and the first election was made in 1971 to Edsger W. Dijkstra.
The nominations committee is responsible for identifying and proposing suitable candidates.
The actual election of such members of the profession is made by a resolution of the trustee board on the recommendation of the president.
Any candidate for Distinguished Fellowship should be considered against the following criteria:[citation needed] To be elected, the nomination must be on the Trustee Board Agenda, and at least 3/4 of those present must resolve in favour.