Membership qualifications prescribed by the board of directors.

The qualifications for membership in the American Physical Therapy Association shall be as stated in the Association Bylaws, and in addition:

A. Active Membership

1. Graduation from a physical therapist education program approved by:

a) the APTA from 1926 to 1936, or

b) the Council on Medical Education mad Hospitals of the American Medical Association from 1936 to 1960, or

c) an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; or,

2. Graduation before 1963 from a physical therapist education program not approved at the time of graduation but previously approved and approved in 1963, and legally authorized to practice physical therapy in 1963; or,

3. Graduation before 1970 from a tour-year physical therapist education program not approved at the time of graduation but approved in 1970, certification by the president of the education institution following verification received through the institution's academic channels of having fulfilled requirements substantially the same as other graduates of that education program in 1970, and legally authorized to practice physical therapy; or,

4. If educated outside the United States by a program not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and living in this country, graduation from an education program that by credentials evaluation is determined to be substantially equivalent, with respect to professional education, to professional physical therapist education in the United States, or a license from a jurisdiction that requires a credentials evaluation prior to licensure.

Credentials Evaluation: a recognized credentials evaluation service, a higher education institution, or a state physical therapy licensing or regulatory agency can perform credentials evaluation.

5. For Active-Student status, a member must:

a) be a graduate physical therapist as defined in A., 1, 2, 3, or 4 above;

b) be a graduate physical therapist enrolled full time in a post-professional master's or doctoral program (excluding transition DPT);

c) be limited to two years in a master's program and four years in a doctoral program; and

d) have all official statement furnished to the APTA by the institution at which the graduate student is enrolled verifying the individual's full-time graduate student enrollment, as defined by that institution, at each dues period for which the individual is eligible for active graduate student status.

6. Student members who have been converted to this category have thirty days following their student membership expiration date to take advantage of the 50% dues rate.

7. Previous student membership in the Association is neither a necessary nor a sufficient qualification for active membership.

8. A signed pledge to comply with the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association.

B. Life Membership

1. Attainment of the age of 65 years and completion of 30 years of membership; or

2. If retired because of disability, completion of at least 2 years of membership.

C. Retired Active

1. Attainment of the age of 55 years and completion of 20 years of membership.

2. No longer engaged in an occupation related to physical therapist practice, education, research, administration, or consultation, or for which physical therapist education or licensure/ certification is a requirement or credential.

3. Member signs an official statement, at each dues period for which the individual is eligible for Retired Active, confirming he/she is no longer engaged in an occupation related to physical therapist practice, education, research, administration, or consultation, or for which physical therapist education or licensure/certification is a requirement or credential.

D. Affiliate Membership

1. Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program approved by:

a) the APTA from 1967 to 1977 or

b) an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

2. Student members who have been converted to this category have thirty days following their student membership expiration date to take advantage of the 50% dues rate.

3. Previous student affiliate membership in the Association is neither a necessary nor a sufficient qualification for affiliate membership.

4. A signed pledge to comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistants of the American Physical Therapy Association.

5. If trained outside the United States, holding United States citizenship, a legal permit for permanent residence in the United States, or a legal permit to work in the United States, and graduation from an education program that by credentials evaluation is determined to be equivalent, with respect to physical therapist assistant entry level education in the United States.

Credentials Evaluation: Credentials evaluation can he performed by a recognized credentials evaluation service, a higher education institution, or a state physical therapist assistant licensing or regulatory agency.

E. Life Affiliate Membership

1. Attainment of the age of 65 years and completion of 30 years of membership; or

2. If retired because of disability, completion of at least 2 years of membership.

F. Retired Affiliate

1. Attainment of the age of 55 years and completion of 20 years of membership.

2. No longer engaged in an occupation related to physical therapy practice, education, research, administration, or consultation, or for which physical therapist assistant education or licensure/certification is a requirement or credential.

3. Member signs an official statement, at each dues period for which the individual is eligible for Retired Affiliate, confirming she/he is no longer engaged in an occupation related to physical therapy practice, education, research, administration, or consultation, or for which physical therapist assistant education or licensure/certification is a requirement or credential.

G. Student Membership

1. Enrollment in a physical therapist education program that is accredited or is seeking or granted candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

2. A signed pledge to comply with the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association.

H. Student Affiliate Membership

1. Enrollment in a physical therapist assistant education program that is accredited or is seeking or granted candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

2. A signed pledge to comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant of the American Physical Therapy Association.

I. Honorary Membership

Contributions are:

1. Significant to the field of physical therapy.

2. National in recognition and scope.

3. Beyond the scope of work done as part of paid employment.

4. Of unique quality.

J. Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA

1. Demonstrated advancement of the profession of physical therapy in at least one of the domains of research, education, or practice.

2. National recognition by APTA members and by leaders outside the physical therapy profession, with full supporting documentation of achievements that have resulted in lasting contributions in at least two of the three domains of research, education, and practice.

3. Frequent and sustained efforts to advance the profession through contributions (leadership, influence, and achievements) over a period of not less than fifteen years.

4. Definitive ways in which advancement of the physical therapy profession or lasting contributions have been achieved (eg, Association honors and awards; published in refereed and non-refereed journals; books or book chapters; invited national and international lectures, addresses, and symposia; attainment of research grants.)

5. Not be a member of the Association's Board of Directors at the time that the nomination is considered. However, physical therapists who are Association employees or contractors are eligible for nomination to this class of membership,

NOTE: The Membership Qualifications Prescribed by the Board of Directors are published annually with the Bylaws in an APTA serial publication and are published, with the Bylaws, in an APTA serial publication following each amendment or revision of the document. (B of D, 6/87, Vote 15)

07-02-04-09 [Amended BOD 07-02-02-02; BOD 07-02-02-03; BOD 07-02-02-04; BOD 07-02-03-05; 07-02-03-06; BOD 07-02-03-07; BOD 07-02-04-08; BOD 02-02-10-10; BOD 11-00-09-22; BOD 03-00-09-11; BOD 07-98-01-01; BOD 11-96-06-14; BOD 03-96-12-36; BOD 06-94-07-14; BOD 11-92-07-28; BOD 03-87-05-18; BOD 03-86-06-23; BOD 11-85-03-14; BOD 03-84-05-17; BOD 11-81-03-06; BOD 03-81-02-04; BOD 11-80-02-08; BOD 11-79-02-05; BOD 02-74-15-29]

MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AT ASSOCIATION, COMPONENT AND
COMMITTEE LEVELS

(A=Association, C=Chapter, S=Section, AS=Assembly, CM=Committee)

                                                            Retired
                                           Active           Active

Rights

Attend meetings(except                     yes              yes
section and assembly
business meetings)
Speak and debate                           yes              yes
Privileges
Make and second a motion                   A-all            no
                                           registered
                                           delegates
                                           C/S-yes (c)      yes (c)
                                           AS-no            no
                                           CM-yes           yes
Vote                                       A-chapter        no
                                           delegates
                                           (1 vote)
                                           C/S-yes (c)      yes (c)
                                           (1 vote)         (1 vote)
                                           AS-no            no
                                           CM-yes           yes
Eligible to hold office                    A-yes/5-yr       no
                                           active member
                                           C/S-yes (d)      yes (d)
                                           AS-no            no
Eligible ot be a chapter delegate          yes/2-yr         no
                                           Assoc member
Eligible to be a section delegate          yes/2-yr         no
                                           Assoc member
Eligible to be an assembly                 no               no
delegate
Eligible to serve on a Nominating          A-yes/5-yr       no
Committee, which shall be elected          active member
                                           C/S-yes (d)      yes (d)
                                           AS-no            no
Eligible to serve on Assoc Reference       yes              no
Committee
Eligible to serve as chair of committees   A, C/S-yes (f)   yes (f)
                                           AS-no            no
Eligible to serve as a committee member    yes (f)          yes (f)
Petition to form a chapter                 yes              yes
Petition to form a section                 yes              yes
Receive an APTA Journal                    yes              May
                                                            subscribe
                                                            at a
                                                            courtesy
                                                            rate
Use the initials FAPTA after name          no               no

                                           Life         Affiliate

Rights

Attend meetings(except                     yes          yes
section and assembly
business meetings)
Speak and debate                           yes          yes
Privileges
Make and second a motion                   no           section or
                                                        assembly
                                                        delegates
                                                        only
                                           yes (c)      yes (c)
                                           no           yes (c)
                                           yes          yes
Vote                                       no           no
                                           yes (c)      yes (c)
                                           (1 vote)     (1/2 vote)
                                           no           yes (c)
                                                        (1 vote)
                                           yes          yes
Eligible to hold office                    no           no
                                           yes (d)      yes (d,e)
                                           no           yes (d)
Eligible ot be a chapter delegate          no           no
Eligible to be a section delegate          no           yes/2-yr
                                                        Assoc member
Eligible to be an assembly                 n/a          yes/national
delegate                                                assembly
                                                        delegate/2-yr
                                                        Assoc member
Eligible to serve on a Nominating          no           no
Committee, which shall be elected
                                           yes (d)      yes (d)
                                           no           yes (d)
Eligible to serve on Assoc Reference       no           no
Committee
Eligible to serve as chair of committees   yes (f)      yes (f)
                                           no           yes (d)
Eligible to serve as a committee member    yes (f)      yes (f)
Petition to form a chapter                 yes          no
Petition to form a section                 yes          yes
Receive an APTA Journal                    May          yes
                                           subscribe
                                           at a
                                           courtesy
                                           rate
Use the initials FAPTA after name          no           no

                                           Retired         Life
                                           Affiliate       Affiliate

Rights

Attend meetings(except                     yes             yes
section and assembly
business meetings)
Speak and debate                           yes             yes
Privileges
Make and second a motion                   no              no
                                           yes (c)         yes (c)
                                           yes (c)         yes (c)
                                           yes             yes
Vote                                       no              no
                                           yes (c)         yes (c)
                                           (1/2 vote)      (1/2 vote)
                                           yes (c)         yes (c)
                                           (1 vote)        (1 vote)
                                           yes             yes
Eligible to hold office                    no              no
                                           yes (d,e)       yes (d,e)
                                           yes (d)         yes (d)
Eligible ot be a chapter delegate          no              no
Eligible to be a section delegate          no              no
Eligible to be an assembly                 yes/national    yes/national
delegate                                   assembly        assembly
                                           delegate/2-yr   delegate/
                                                           2-yr
                                           Assoc member    Assoc member
Eligible to serve on a Nominating          no              no
Committee, which shall be elected
                                           yes (d)         yes (d)
                                           yes (d)         yes (d)
Eligible to serve on Assoc Reference       no              no
Committee
Eligible to serve as chair of committees   yes (f)         yes (f)
                                           yes (d)         yes (d)
Eligible to serve as a committee member    yes (f)         yes (f)
Petition to form a chapter                 no              no
Petition to form a section                 yes             yes
Receive an APTA Journal                    May             May
                                           subscribe       subscribe
                                           at a            at a
                                           courtesy        courtesy
                                           rate            rate
Use the initials FAPTA after name          no              no

                                                              Student
                                           Student            Affiliate

Rights

Attend meetings(except                     yes                yes
section and assembly
business meetings)
Speak and debate                           yes                yes
Privileges
Make and second a motion                   assembly           assembly
                                           delegate           delegate
                                           only               only
                                           no                 no
                                           yes (c)            yes (c)
                                           yes                yes
Vote                                       no                 no
                                           no                 no
                                           yes (c)            yes (c)
                                           (1 vote)           (1 vote)
                                           yes                yes
Eligible to hold office                    no                 no
                                           no                 no
                                           yes (d)            yes (d)
Eligible ot be a chapter delegate          no                 no
Eligible to be a section delegate          no                 no
Eligible to be an assembly                 yes/student        yes/
delegate                                   assembly           student
                                           delegate/3-month   assembly
                                           Assoc member       delegate/
                                                              3-month
                                                              Assoc
                                                              member
Eligible to serve on a Nominating          no                 no
Committee, which shall be elected
                                           no                 no
                                           yes (d)            yes (d)
Eligible to serve on Assoc Reference       no                 no
Committee
Eligible to serve as chair of committees   no                 no
                                           yes (d)            yes (d)
Eligible to serve as a committee member    yes (f)            yes (f)
Petition to form a chapter                 no                 no
Petition to form a section                 yes                yes
Receive an APTA Journal                    yes                yes
Use the initials FAPTA after name          no                 no

                                                       Fellow
                                           Honorary    (a,b)

Rights

Attend meetings(except                     yes         yes
section and assembly
business meetings)
Speak and debate                           yes         yes
Privileges
Make and second a motion                   no          ...
                                           no          ...
                                           no          ...
                                           no          ...
Vote                                       no          ...
                                           no          ...
                                           no          ...
                                           no          ...
Eligible to hold office                    no          ...
                                           no          ...
                                           no          ...
Eligible ot be a chapter delegate          no          ...
Eligible to be a section delegate          no          ...
Eligible to be an assembly                 no          ...
delegate
Eligible to serve on a Nominating          no          ...
Committee, which shall be elected
                                           no          ...
                                           no          ...
Eligible to serve on Assoc Reference       no          ...
Committee
Eligible to serve as chair of committees   no          ..
                                           no          ...
Eligible to serve as a committee member    no          ...
Petition to form a chapter                 no          ...
Petition to form a section                 no          ...
Receive an APTA Journal                    May         ...
                                           subscribe
                                           at
                                           regular
                                           rate
Use the initials FAPTA after name          no          yes

(a) Catherine Worthington Fellow.

(b) The granting of membership rights is dependent on the other
membership class concurrently held.

(c) Except when component bylaws provide for a representative body.

(d) Subject to additional eligibilly, requirements in component bylaws.

(e) Except the office of president, president elect, vice president,
and chief delegate, or any position that may succeed to the presidency.

(f) Except as provided for elsewhere in these bylaws.