FAO MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Full Member
Full Members shall be those who meet the requirements listed below:
- Have graduated from a U. S. College of Osteopathic Medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) or have graduated from a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or be a graduate of a school of medicine located outside of the United States and have completed residency training in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and shall be eligible for unrestricted licensure as a physician and/or surgeon to practice medicine and surgery or shall be in an ACGME accredited training program, which is a prerequisite for licensure. Non-osteopathic applicants should meet the qualifications of full membership and have an interest in promoting, advocating for and representing the interests of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic physicians.
- Have made proper application for membership in the FAO.
- Have paid their current dues and assessments.
Full Members may vote, hold office, serve on committees or as committee chairpersons, and in other capacities as the Academy deems useful or necessary. Membership in the American Osteopathic Association is recommended for full members.
Documentation Required: Membership Application
Retired Membership
Retired Membership may be conferred by the officers upon any member provided that the member has submitted a written request for Retired Membership status and provided documented evidence that he or she is fully retired from active practice. He or she shall have all the rights and privileges of his or her previous membership except voting rights and the right to hold office, if indeed the member previously held such rights and the right to hold office. Retired Members are exempt from any further dues and assessments.
Documentation Required: Membership application; letter to FAO specifying retired practice
Student Membership
Student Membership may be granted to students in osteopathic colleges pre-accredited or accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) or a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or their successors. Such members, however, shall have no voting rights at the annual membership meeting.
Documentation Required: Membership Application
Associate Membership
Associate Membership may be granted, by action of the officers, to the following who do not meet the requirements of full membership: graduates of accredited schools of dentistry, or podiatry who have made written application; doctors of philosophy or education and other nondoctoral personnel holding teaching, research and administrative positions in AOA COCA, or LCME accredited colleges; administrative employees of affiliated organizations and divisional societies; and any other professionals as determined by the Board of Trustees. Associate Members shall pay dues equal to the dues of Full Members and receive all Academy publications, newsletters and announcements given to Full Members. Associate Members may attend all Academy educational meetings by paying the registration fee for Full Members. Associate Members shall be entitled to the privileges of the Full Membership except the right to vote or hold office.
Documentation Required: Membership application; letter to FAO specifying current credentials (DMD/ DDS, PhD, DPM, etc) and interest in osteopathy
International Affiliate
International Affiliate may be granted by the officers to those persons who have made written application who do not meet the requirements of full membership, who shall pay dues equal to the amount of Full members (plus postage), and who have met the criteria and approval of the officers.
Documentation Required: Membership application; letter to FAO specifying practice outside of the USA
Honorary Life Membership
Honorary Life Membership may be awarded by the officers upon a member(s) selected by the Membership Committee and recommended by the officers in recognition of outstanding service to the osteopathic profession. (See Criteria for Academy Awards in the Directory.) Such members shall have the privileges and duties of Full members but shall not be required to pay dues or assessments. Honorary Life Members may vote, hold office, serve on committees or as committee chairmen, or in other capacities as the FAO deems useful or necessary.
These members are nominated by the FAO
Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership. This association may elect to bestow Honorary Membership on those persons who are not members of the osteopathic profession who have performed a sufficiently meritorious service to the osteopathic profession, or have, in the judgment of the officers, rendered services in the promotion of the osteopathic profession warranting such an honor. Individuals so selected by the officers, or by a committee appointed by the officers for that purpose, shall be nominated to the general membership for election to
Honorary Membership, without vote or dues.
These members are nominated by the FAO
Supporter Members
Individuals who are interested in the Academy and make contributions annually equal to the dues paid by full members. Such individuals shall have no rights or privileges of membership.
