Active Membership Process (United States and Canada)

If you are a citizen of the United States, its territories or Canada and are in your final year of residency, you are eligible to begin the process of becoming an Active Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons^® (ASPS^®). The process is as follows:

Step 1: Applicant for Membership

1. Submit a letter of sponsorship from an Active or Life Member of ASPS or your Training Program Director and have them send it to the ASPS Executive Office.
2. Upon receipt of the letter of sponsorship you will be sent a membership application.
3. Return the completed membership application along with the $125 application fee (U.S.Dollars) and portrait-photograph.
4. Once the application is received and on file you will receive the following benefits:
   • Subscription to Plastic Surgery News^®
   • Discounts off the non-member physician prices on ASPS/PSEF sponsored, co-sponsored and endorsed meetings including Plastic Surgery 2007: The Premier Educational Experience

Step 2: Candidate for Membership

1. Send a copy of your letter from The American Board of Plastic Surgery^® (ABPS^®) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada^® stating Board admissibility if you are within seven (7) years of satisfactorily completing your formal residency training. If over seven (7) years of residency completion submit the certificate from the certifying board.
2. Once this is received by ASPS you will be elevated to Candidate for Membership status at the next month mark.
3. Once received and on file you will receive the following additional benefits:
   • Subscription to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery^® Scientific Journal
   • Member prices on ASPS/PSEF products and services
   • Member prices on Patient-Education materials
   • CME tracking
   • Eligible to present papers and participate in discussions at Plastic Surgery 2007: The Premier Educational Experience
   • Participate in the ASPS Referral Service (only eligible for board-certified candidates)

Step 3: Active Membership

1. Submit two letters of sponsorship from ASPS Active or Life Members within your local or geographic region (within 100 miles) and send it to the ASPS Executive Office. These letters are in addition to the first letter of sponsorship (as required in Step 1).
2. Complete one year as a Candidate for Membership.
3. Become certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery^® (ABPS^®) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 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 and the ASPS Board of Directors. If approved, your name will be placed on the final ballot to be voted on by the full membership. You must receive a four-fifths vote from members to be elected to Active Membership. All fees, dues or assessments must be paid before a Candidate for Membership is officially elevated to Active Membership status.

As an Active Member you will receive the following additional benefits:

• Use of the ASPS Symbol of Excellence^® to promote your ASPS membership on marketing materials
• May hold office and serve on committees
• Attend and vote at the Society's business meetings