The Episcopal Church is governed by a bicameral General Convention, which meets every three years, and by an Executive Council during interim years. The General Convention consists of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.

The House of Bishops is composed of every bishop with jurisdiction (diocesan bishop), every bishop coadjutor, every suffragan bishop, every retired bishop, every bishop elected to an office created by General Convention, and every bishop who has resigned because of mission strategy--each of whom has a seat and vote. The House may also elect collegial members who are admitted with seat and voice, but no vote. Collegial members are bishops in the Anglican Communion who serve extra-provincial dioceses.

The House of Deputies is composed of up to four lay and four clerical deputies from each of the jurisdictions, domestic and overseas, elected in the manner determined by each jurisdiction.

It is traditional for the House of Bishops to meet at least annually in interim sessions between General Conventions, when its agenda is limited by the Constitution and Canons to matters affecting the general state of the church and meeting the needs of contemporary society. When meeting in interim session, it does not have legislative power to initiate or amend programs approved by the two houses meeting as General Convention.

When the two houses meet concurrently in General Convention, legislation is enacted, church policy and programs are approved, and a budget for the next triennium is adopted.

The official Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards (CCABs) of the Episcopal Church are:

Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Board of the Archives of the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church Building Fund Board
Board for Church Deployment
Board of Trustees for the Church Pension Fund
Standing Commission on Episcopal Church Communication
Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons
Court of Review of the Trial of a Bishop
Court of the Trial of a Bishop
Executive Council Committee on Criminal Justice
Disciplinary Policy & Procedure
Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism
Standing Commission on Ecumenical & Interreligious Relations
Episcopal Relief and Development Board of Directors
Executive Council
General Board of Examining Chaplains
Board of Trustees of the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church
House of Deputies President's Council of Advice
Executive Council Jubilee Advisory Committee
Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music
Standing Commission on Ministry Development
Standing Commission on National Concerns
Joint Standing Committee on Nominations
House of Bishops Committee on Pastoral Development
Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop
Presiding Bishop's Council of Advice
Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements
House of Bishops Planning Committee
Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance
House of Bishops Committee on Religious Communities
Standing Commission for Small Congregations
House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church
Executive Council Committee on the Status of Women
Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development
Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church
House of Bishops Committee on Theology
Title IV Review Committee
Standing Commission on World Mission