When a new Brother is Initiated into a Craft Lodge, he is invested with an apron during the ceremony. When a new Companion is Exalted into a Chapter, he is invested with a different apron and also has an additional jewel and sash to wear.

The ribbons and the background to the Royal Arch logo on the apron change from white to red then blue as the Companion progresses in the order.

The Officers in a Royal Arch Chapter have different names to those in a Craft Lodge but have equivalent roles.

A Chapter is conjointly ruled by the Most Excellent Zerubbabel, Haggai and Joshua and are called the Principals whereas a Lodge is ruled over by the Worshipful Master. They each carry a sceptre and wear colourful robes.

Scribe Ezra is the equivalent of a Secretary and Scribe Nehemiah is like the Inner Guard. The Janitor outside the door is the same as a Tyler.

A Chapter has 3 additional officers called Sojourners. They are an integral part of the joining ceremony which is known as an Exaltation.

The remaining officers have the same names as their Craft counterparts: Treasurer, Director of Ceremonies, Almoner, Charity Steward, Assistant Director of Ceremonies and Stewards.

All officers wear collars with the jewel of their office appended but are coloured red.

When Initiated into a Lodge, a Brother joins Craft Freemasonry. The Supreme Degree of the Royal Arch is a continuation of his Masonic Journey which has an indissoluble link to the Craft. The Joining Ceremony for the Royal Arch is called an Exaltation. The members are called Companions and they meet in Chapters.

Chapters, like Lodges, are grouped into Provinces, based on old County boundaries, with the Supreme Grand Chapter overseeing all of the Provinces.

Joining the Royal Arch is the natural progression from the Craft as the Ceremony addresses the missing knowledge from the events described in Third Degree Ceremony. Membership of the Royal Arch is also a gateway into joining many other Orders within Freemasonry.