The PAGB Awards are open to all members of Clubs affiliated to the PAGB through their Federations and are at three levels:

Credit (CPAGB) - Blue badge and certificate requires 10 prints or 10 slides at good club standard.

Distinction (DPAGB) - Red badge and certificate requires 15 prints or 15 slides at "Open Exhibition" standard.

Master (MPAGB) - Gold badge and certificate requires 20 prints or slides - the standard is the highest level of amateur photography.

Pre-Qualification
All applicants must pre-qualify in accordance with their Federation's criteria as having supported Federation photographic events. This support must have been given for a minimum of 2 years for CPAGB, 3 years for DPAGB and 5 years for MPAGB from current active photographers. A retrospective period of 10 years may be considered.
Applicants for MPAGB must have held DPAGB for at least 11 months on date of application.

The Awards are held for life without any annual fee and holders are entitled to use the designated letters after their name.

Submissions are made via the photographic federation's Liaison Officer, listed in the federation's directory or handbook. There are two adjudication sessions a year for prints and slides and one for AV at various locations around the country.