It's basic knowledge that titled players get free diamond membership on the site, along with the highlighted post that makes them stand out from the rest of the crowd.

According to the Titled Player Identification Form, the lowest title you need to get the free membership is National Master. (Or is it Candidate Master? But I'm pretty sure that's referring to the FIDE title.) However, back in 2010 the USCF titles were changed: Instead of Expert, National Master and Senior Master, we now have Candidate Master, Life Master and Life Senior Master, along with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Category.

(If you don't believe me, look up your favorite master on the USCF Player/Rating Lookup, and look at his or her title.)

I'm wondering about that NM title on Chess.com, since technically "National Master" is no longer a USCF title. In order to qualify, do you need to achieve the five norms and whatnot to become a Life Master? Or are they looking a USCF rating above 2200?

I'm not making any suggestions - it would be mean for Chess.com to take away a bunch of people's benefits just because the USCF changed its rules.

I'm just wondering if someone who achieves a 2200 USCF rating today would get the same NM benefits.

They didn't change the titles, they added a separate category. National Master is still awarded to any player who has a post-tournament rating of at least 2200. The titles you are listing are "norms-based" and can be earned concurrently.

I wonder why the use the word norm. Strange.

Yes, NM is still an awarded title. My friend recieved his a few months ago. 

Is it permanent or can you lose it if your rating drops. One NM on here said he lost his.

lol, NM isn't going anywhere.  life master is playing 300 games while maintaining a rating over 2200, and has been around forever.  of course the  USCF is going to honor a master rating.  :)

AndyClifton said he earned the title of NM, but lost it when his rating dropped. Chess.com will still honor it though if you lose it. I didn't say the title itself is going away. You just lose it if your rating drops.

It's permanent

I guess Andy lied.

Well as according to the USCF rules handbook, it is permanent. I know multiple NM's who have dropped below 2200 before and they still have their title. Andy should file to have his NM title added if he really isan NM

It's strange they came up with the title of Life master then.

The United States Chess Federation (USCF) awards the Title of National Master to anyone who achieves a USCF rating of 2200, and the title of Senior Master to anyone who achieves a USCF rating of 2400. The USCF also awards the Life Master title to anyone who holds a 2200 rating for a total of 300 or more games in his or her lifetime.

In the United States, the title of "National Master" is awarded for life, regardless of whether the rating of a National Master subsequently goes below 2200.^[1] In August 2002, this position was codified (after being recognized as the existing status quo) by the USCF Policy Board with the passage of a motion stating "Any USCF member who has had a regular post tournament rating of 2200 or higher (published or not) has demonstrated a significant level of chess ability and is recognized by being automatically awarded the lifetime title of National Master."

Okay. I stated in another thread a long time ago that NM was permanent, but AnfyClifton is the one who kept arguing that it wasn't. He even argued with Reb if I remember right. Probably just screwing around as usual.

yea lol.  it DOES, however, make one wonder what Life Master is all about. seems like a cheapo, to me.  :D

I'm sure that NM is a permanent title.  One of my friends went over 2200 at the beginning of April and got his NM certificate in the mail soon after that, even though he's now slightly below 2200.

can any one outside the United States apply for any of the titles of the United States Chess Federation ? any answer please?===============

no, you have to get the uscf titles in uscf tourneys.