Membership qualifications prescribed by the board of directors. (Association Business).

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 therapy education program approved by 1) the APTA from 1926 to 1936, or 2) the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association from 1936 to 1960, or 3) an agency recognized by the US Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; or,

2. Graduation before 1963 from a physical therapy 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 4-year physical therapy 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 trained outside the United States, 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(s) that by credentials evaluation is (are) determined to be equivalent, with respect to professional education, to entry-level (professional) physical therapist education in the United States. Credentials Evaluation: Credentials evaluation can be performed by a recognized credentials evaluation service, a higher education institution, or a state physical therapy licensing or regulatory agency.

5. For active graduate student status, a member must

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

b. be a graduate physical therapist enrolled full time in a graduate program in any field;

c. be limited to 2 years in a master's degree program and 4 years in a doctoral program; and

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

7. 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 60 years and completion of 30 years of membership, at least 24 of which have been as an active member; or

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

C. Affiliate Membership

1. Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program approved by (1) the APTA from 1967 to 1977 or, (2) an agency recognized by the US Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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

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

4. 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 be performed by a recognized credentials evaluation service, a higher education institution, or a state physical therapist assistant licensing or regulatory agency.

D. Life Affiliate Membership

1. Attainment of the age of 60 years and completion of 30 years of membership, at least 24 of which have been as an affiliate member; or

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

E. Student Membership

1. Enrollment in a physical therapy 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 be guided by the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association.

F. 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 be guided by the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant of the American Physical Therapy Association.

G. 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.

H. Catherine Worthingham Fellow of APTA

1. Demonstrated nationally prominent leadership in advancing the science, education, or practice of physical therapy, and demonstrated personal influence nationally in advancing at least one other of these three areas of the profession.

2. Documented achievements in at least two of the three areas of the profession, that is, science, education, and practice; are prominent and known nationwide; and have influenced the two respective areas in lasting ways that are demonstrable or attested to by other active members who hold leadership positions in these areas.

3. Contributions to the profession, through leadership, influence, and achievements, are sufficient to demonstrate frequent and sustained efforts to advance the profession over a period of not fewer than 15 years preceding the time of nomination for election.

4. Positions held in physical therapy, honors, and awards received for work in the profession, publications, and invited presentations are congruent with those expected of a physical therapist who has made notable contributions to the profession and who has received various forms of recognition for those contributions.

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 category 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)