Membership Types

Primary Specialty Membership - Specialty societies representing specialties with “General Certificates,” as recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Sub-Specialty Membership - Specialty societies representing specialties with “Sub-specialty Certificates,” as recognized by ABMS.

Affiliate Membership - Specialty societies representing specialties without certificates recognized by ABMS.

Associate Membership - an organization that possesses a focus on issues of interest to CMSS such as physician education, quality, standard setting, accreditation, certification, professionalism, practice performance and the improvement of the healthcare of Americans, and may not be either a specialty or sub-specialty (as recognized by ABMS) society.

Organizational eligibility does not guarantee election to membership. Membership in CMSS will be conferred by vote of the CMSS Council, as per CMSS operational policy, and will be based on a recommendation from the Board of Directors. Council votes regarding membership are not subject to appeal.

Application Process

An organization desiring membership or reinstatement of membership in the CMSS shall supply written evidence of its qualifications for membership to CMSS.  The Board shall determine if the specialty represented by the organization fulfills the requirements for recognition by the Council as set forth in Article IV, Section 1. If the Board makes such determination, the Board shall submit its recommendation and a formal application from the prospective member to the Council. The Council at its next succeeding meeting may vote to admit such organization to membership in the Council. Membership shall become effective upon approval by the Council. Upon approval of membership, a one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $500 is due.