The American Psychiatric Association is a medical specialty society recognized worldwide. Its U.S. and international member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders, including intellectual disability and substance-related disorders. APA is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry.
The APA and the District Branches/State Associations have a dual membership requirement for General Members and Members-in-Training. Members must join both organizations. The state-level dues help sponsor local meetings and conferences that support APA members.
The APA charges different dues rates for different member classes. Dues are reduced for the first six years of General Membership, to ease the burden of membership for early career psychiatrists. National dues for the APA are separate from District Branch/State Association or Area dues. The District Branches/State Associations set their own dues rates each year. District Branch/State Association dues can sometimes include additional charges for their larger Area or for smaller local chapters which they encompass.
Membership Dues:
2013 APA Membership Dues and 2013 District Branch/State Association Membership Dues.
APA Membership Categories:
General Member - Physicians who have completed an acceptable program of training in psychiatry, and hold either a valid license to practice medicine or hold an academic, research, or governmental position that does not require licensure. General Members may apply for Fellowship or be nominated for Distinguished Fellowship provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Benefits, Application (Print), Online Application.
Automatic MIT-GM Advancement: Members-in-Training (MITs) are automatically advanced to General Member (GM) status upon completion of psychiatry residency training. APA requires that members verify they meet the General Membership requirements by completing the GM Verification Form. If an MIT is continuing training in a fellowship program, the information must be reported to APA on the GM Verification Form or by email (membership@psych.org) so the member’s status can be changed back to MIT.
Early Career Psychiatrists (ECPs) are general members of the APA who are within their first seven years after completion of training (ACGME accredited residency/fellowship). Additional information for ECPs.
Member-in-Training - Physicians who have been accepted into a psychiatric residency training program that is approved by the ACGME, RCPS(C), or AOA and remain enrolled therein. Residents enrolled in a one-year primary care training program to be followed by an approved psychiatric residency are eligible for Member-in-Training status. Your First Year of APA Dues as a Member-in-Training is waived! After that, your annual national dues are only $105/U.S. and $65/Canada. Benefits, Application (Print), Online Application. 100% Club Membership Information for Residency Training Programs.
Medical Student Member - Individuals who are enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian school of medicine, including osteopathic medicine, and remain enrolled therein. Medical Student Members are dues exempt and are required to belong at the national level only (exempt from dual membership requirement). Benefits/Application (Print), Online Application.
International Member - Physicians who live outside the United States and Canada and who meet the criteria established for General Members. Applicants for this category must be licensed physicians who have completed an acceptable program in training in psychiatry. Benefits/Application (Print), Online Application.
International Distinguished Fellow - Physicians who live outside the United States and Canada and who meet the criteria for Distinguished Fellowship (i.e. having made significant and continued contributions to the field of psychiatry) and who have the support of three Distinguished Fellows and/or International Distinguished Fellows of the APA. Guidelines, Nomination Form.
International Fellow - Physicians who live outside the United States and Canada and who meet the criteria for International Membership (i.e. licensed physicians who have completed an acceptable program of training in psychiatry) and have three (3) years of either APA membership or membership in the applicant's national or local psychiatric organization, if one exists, and Board certification or equivalent, if certification exists in applicant's country. Guidelines and Application.
Payment Options
Dues Relief Forms
Dues Amnesty For Former Members Owing Past Dues
Former members who owe past dues may be eligible for a one time “dues amnesty” for past district branch and APA dues. To be eligible, your district branch must participate in the program and waive past district branch dues. The APA will offer dues amnesty of past national dues obligations only to members within those district branches offering amnesty. Reinstating members must have been dropped or resigned from membership one or more years prior to reinstatement to qualify for dues amnesty. List of participating branches.