Supporting Member
The following are the criteria for all supporting members of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Eligibility
If applicant has never been a Supporting FP member, or has not held Supporting FP membership within the last two years, CME credits are not required. If the applicant has held Supporting FP membership within the last two years, the applicant must provide evidence of 100 approved CME credits completed during the two years immediately preceding application.
- (Non-FP): Physicians in specialties other than family medicine must meet criteria established by the AAFP Board of Directors. Criteria are based on activities that support and enhance the family medicine specialty. Physicians must also be licensed to practice in a geographic area in which a constituent chapter exists.
- (FP): Physicians who have been actively engaged in the practice or teaching of family medicine or in medical administration for the previous six years but who do not qualify for active membership because they did not complete the necessary residency training, and who have not been active members prior to January 1, 1989, must have during the three years immediately preceding application for supporting membership completed 150 hours of CME, all of which must be AAFP prescribed credit, acceptable to the Commission on Continuing Professional Development. (see Requirements).
Privileges
- May hold floor at Assembly. May not hold national office or committee appointment and may not vote in national affairs. Privileges of supporting members in constituent chapters may be determined under the Bylaws of individual constituent chapters.
Application Requirements
Physicians actively engaged in family medicine:
If applicant has never been a Supporting FP member, or has not held Supporting FP membership within the last two years, CME credits are not required. If the applicant has held Supporting FP membership within the last two years, the applicant must provide evidence of 100 approved CME credits completed during the two years immediately preceding application.
If applicant has never been a Supporting FP member, or has not held Supporting FP membership within the last two years, CME credits are not required. If the applicant has held Supporting FP membership within the last two years, the applicant must provide evidence of 100 approved CME credits completed during the two years immediately preceding application.
Definition of "Approved CME"
In interpreting the "postgraduate study of a nature acceptable to the AAFP Commission on Continuing Professional Development," the general rule is that all AAFP-approved courses are acceptable. Contact with the individual's constituent state chapter is recommended to determine whether an applicant's hours are acceptable for membership, re-election, or transfer to another membership classification.
Continuing Study Requirement
- Supporting (non-FP): None
- Supporting (FP): 150 hours of approved CME every three years.
- Active and supporting members with a CME requirement must accrue and report, within each re-election term, a minimum of 150 hours of approved CME of which at least 75 hours must be AAFP prescribed credit.
Term of Membership
- Supporting (non-FP): One year
- Supporting (FP): Three years
National AAFP Dues
- $260.00 annual dues (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31)
General Membership Information
- Applications are approved at the constituent chapter level, subject to AAFP Bylaws. Applications for student and resident membership are approved at the national level, subject to AAFP bylaws.
- National headquarters completes enrollment. Transfers from one classification to another must be approved by the constituent chapter.
- If all membership requirements are met, membership is continued on an annual basis, unless notification is received from the member.
Constituent and Local Chapter Dues
Membership is unified; members are required to belong to AAFP (national) and their constituent (state) chapters. They are also required to belong to their component (local) chapters where they exist. All chapter dues are set locally. Total annual dues information may be obtained from AAFP headquarters.
Questions? Contact us at (800) 274-2237, ext. 6821 or hynda@aafp.org.
Questions? Contact us at (800) 274-2237, ext. 6821 or hynda@aafp.org.
