There are six degrees or Grades of the Order, the first three are regularly worked in a Consistory by the members of that Consistory, the latter three are worked in special assemblies usually by Grand Officers.
A Companion's Grade is indicated as a suffix beteen his surname and any rank, using roman numerals, e.g., “Fred Blogs, III”
Upon their First Grade or Induction into a Consistory, Companions initially become Ostiarii or Doorkeepers within the Order, and thenceforth may designate themselves as Companions of the Scarlet Cord, and will prefix their name with the honorific “Comp.” This is the entry level ceremony taken by Princes of the Order of the Secret Monitor and defines their Mother Consistory.
The Second and Third Grades are also conferred in a Consistory when the candidates become Lectors
and Fellows or Healer & Exorcists respectively.
These two Grades may be conferred in any Consistory, not just the candidate's mother one,
or even in some cases worked by the officers of a Provincial Senatus.
These ceremonies involve participation by a relatively large number of Consistory members, and whilst there is every opportunity for keen ritualists to shine, there are also many possibilities for less practiced Companions to participate in a rewarding and meaningful manner.
Once a Companion has completed his 3rd Grade, and before he can be installed as President of the Consistory, he must first prove his proficiency in the first 3 Grades in the ceremony of Preparation, which is usually (but not necessarily) worked by the officers of Provincial Senatus, either on a visit to his own Consistory or in a special meeting convened for that purpose.
Having been Prepared, a Companion is designated Emminent and his prefix becomes “Em.Comp.”. He receives a signed Patent, authorising his eventual installation as the President of a Consistory, and dedication as a High Priest and Judge within the Order, at which point he becomes a Distinguished Companion, shown as “Dist.Comp.”.
The Fourth Grade is bestowed in a Council of Elders by a team of current and past Grand Officers,
when the candidate,
who must be an installed President of a Consistory – usually for at least four years – becomes a Councillor.
This Grade is a required precursor to Grand Office and is usually obtained by Provincial recommendation to the Grand Summus.
The final Sixth Grade, Prince of Jerusalem takes place on every few years in the Council of Princes and is granted to a very select few by the Grand Summus alone as a reward for services to the Order.
These later degrees are worked by active and past Grand Officers, meaning that promotion in the Order does not mean that one can rest on one's laurels, but rather a continuous active involvement is encouraged.
As with other Orders in Freemasonry, attaining to some of the most senior Grand Ranks earns the additional distinctions of being known as a Very or even Right Distinguished Companion.