> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/plan/community-events/registration-types.md).

# Registration Types

Learn how to configure registration types and custom registration forms for a community event in PEARS.

Registration types define the ways participants can register for your event. Each type can have its own custom registration form, allowing you to collect different information depending on how the participant plans to attend.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Navigate to the Registration Types Tab**

After completing the previous sections of the event workflow, PEARS takes you to the Registration Types page. You can also access it by opening an existing event and clicking the **Registration Types** tab in the progress panel.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select Registration Types**

Choose one or more registration types for the event by checking the available options. Common registration types include:

* **Participant** -- For people who plan to attend the event.
* **Non-Participant** -- For someone registering other people but not attending themselves.

Additional registration types may be available depending on your organization's configuration.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** You must select at least one registration type before the event can be published. Selecting multiple types gives registrants the ability to choose how they will participate.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Set a Registration Cap and Waitlist (optional)**

In the **Registration Cap** field, enter the maximum number of people who can register under this type. The cap counts all registrations under the type, whether completed or not. Leave it blank for no limit.

Once a cap is set, an **Enable waitlist** checkbox appears. Check it to offer a waitlist signup after the cap is reached. See [Event Waitlists](/plan/community-events/event-waitlists.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Each registration type's card shows badges for its **Capacity**, current **Registrations**, and — when a waitlist is enabled — the number **Waitlisted**, so you can see how full each type is without opening it.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure a Custom Registration Form (optional)**

For each registration type, you can customize the registration form that participants will complete. Click the **Edit Form** button next to a registration type to open the form builder.

In the form builder, you can:

* Add custom fields to collect additional information from registrants.
* Rearrange fields to control the order they appear on the form.
* Mark fields as required or optional.
* Remove fields that are not needed for this registration type.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Save Registration Types**

Click **Save and Continue** to save your registration type selections and proceed to the next step.

To save without continuing, click the **Save** button instead.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** Changing registration types after the event has been published may affect existing registrations. Review your registrations before modifying the available types.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** If you change the event's end date, any registration type deadline that falls after the new end date is automatically moved back to match. This prevents registration deadlines from extending past the event itself.
{% endhint %}

## Copy a Registration Type

To add a registration type that is similar to one already on the event, copy it instead of rebuilding its form from scratch.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open the Copy Window**

On the registration type's card, click the **Copy** button <i class="fa-clone">:clone:</i>. A copy window named after the original (for example, **Copy "Volunteer"**) opens with the original's **Registration Cap**, **Enable waitlist**, and **Registration Deadline** already filled in. Nothing is created until you click **Copy**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Choose a Type for the Copy**

Under **What type of registration do you need?**, select the type for the new registration type. Types already used on the event are not listed, so choose an unused type, or choose **Other (specify)** and enter a new name. Adjust the cap, waitlist, and deadline if needed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Create the Copy**

Click **Copy**. PEARS adds the new registration type to the event with a copy of the original's registration form, including all of its questions, and the original's confirmation message. The form builder then opens on the copied form so you can review or adjust it.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** Fees are not copied. The new registration type starts with no registration or session fees attached, so add any fees it needs on the [Event Payment](/plan/community-events/event-payment.md) step. The copy also starts with no registrations, and editing either type or its form does not affect the other.
{% endhint %}

## Editing Types After Registrations Arrive

Once a registration type has real registrations it is live, and most of its settings are locked so that existing invoices stay accurate.

The label on an **Other** registration type is an exception — you can rename it on a live type, which is useful for correcting a typo or clarifying wording after registrations have come in. The type itself stays locked, so a live **Other** type cannot be switched to a different type.

## Continue to the Next Step

After configuring registration types, click the **Save and Continue** button. If the event has fees, the next step is [Event Payment](/plan/community-events/event-payment.md). Otherwise, you will proceed to [Confirmations](/plan/community-events/confirmations.md).

## Related Documentation

* [Event Waitlists](/plan/community-events/event-waitlists.md) — Collect signups after a registration type reaches its cap.