Active Membership Process

Active Member and Candidate for Membership

The first step in joining ASPS as an Active Member is to become a Candidate for Membership.

As a Candidate, you will receive ASPS educational benefits immediately upon receipt of your application and payment of your Candidate dues. Please note a one-time application fee of $150 will be required when submitting your application. The Candidate dues are $456 for the first year and are pro-rated by the month in which you apply. This application payment will serve as your dues for the remainder of the calendar year. See chart below.

As a Candidate you will receive the following educational benefits:

• Subscription to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS)*
• Subscription to Plastic Surgery News (PSN)
• Subscription to ASPS Education Network (ASPS EdNet)
• Discounted registration for meetings and symposia, including Plastic Surgery The Meeting
• May present papers and participate in discussions at Plastic Surgery The Meeting
• Member discounts on educational preparation services and instructional testing (In-Service)
• May serve on ASPS committees as appropriate

First-year Candidate dues are $456. Below is the schedule of pro-rated Candidate dues for the calendar year based upon the month your application is received:

*Note that applications and payments received in October, November and December will apply for the balance of the year and for the next year's Candidate dues.

Candidate for Membership

You will be elevated to a Candidate for Membership once you complete your application and the following:

• Obtain a letter of sponsorship from an ASPS Active or Life Active Member or your Training Program Director (if your TPD is an Active Member).
• Send a copy of your letter from the American Board of Plastic Surgery or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada stating board-admissibility if you are within seven years of satisfactorily completing your formal residency training. If over seven years of residency completion, submit the certificate from the certifying board.
• Accreditation compliance must be up to date.

Active Member

Active Members are required to serve one year as a Candidate and become board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Once your completed application materials – including sponsor letters – and have met all Active Member requirements, your application will be reviewed by the Membership Committee and you will be placed on the next available ballot to become an Active Member.

Election to Active membership shall be by a majority vote of the ASPS Board of Directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present. All fees, dues or assessments must be paid before a Candidate for Membership is officially elevated to Active membership status. Accreditation compliance must be up-to-date.

Active Members receive the following additional benefits (see Candidate benefits above):

• Use of the ASPS Symbol of Excellence
• Inclusion in the ASPS Find a Surgeon listing
• ASPS voting privileges
• Other benefits as designated by ASPS

Your name may be entered on the preliminary ballot for Active membership after you complete your application and the following:

• Submit one letter of sponsorship from ASPS Active or Life Active Members within your local or geographic region (within 100 miles) and send it to the ASPS Executive Office. This letter is in addition to the first letter of sponsorship.
• Completed one year as a Candidate for Membership.
• Become certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS will receive confirmation directly from the ABPS. Candidates for Membership from Canada must submit certification documentation to ASPS.

Once you have satisfied the above requirements, your application will be reviewed by the Membership Committee. If approved, your name will be placed on the final ballot to be voted on by the ASPS Board of Directors. Election to Active membership shall be by a majority vote of the Board at a meeting at which a quorum is present. All fees, dues or assessments must be paid before a Candidate for Membership is officially elevated to Active membership status. Accreditation compliance must be up to date.

All fees, dues or assessments must be paid before a Candidate for Membership is officially elevated to Active membership status. Accreditation compliance must be up to date.

Return all application materials (application, photo, sponsorship letters, application fee) to ASPS at membership@plasticsurgery.org.

If you have questions about ASPS member benefits or the membership process, please contact ASPS Member Services at (847) 228-9900 or membership@plasticsurgery.org.