Types of Membership

Active Member Status
Active membership is granted to those applicants who are graduates of colleges of veterinary medicine and who agree to abide by the principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of this Association. Candidates for active membership should complete an application for membership (this form is a pdf and requires Adobe Acrobat to view). All applications to be considered must be accompanied by the dues for the first year. Such applicants may be elected to active membership upon a majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Click here for 2009 dues information.

Associate Member Status
Associate membership may be granted to any veterinarian residing and/or working in another state who submits the same application for membership (this form is a pdf and requires Adobe Acrobat to view) as the stipulated for active members and who is approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees. An active member who moves out of the Commonwealth may be automatically granted associate membership status upon application to the secretary-treasurer. Associate members may not vote or hold office, but otherwise shall have all the privileges of active members. Associate member Dues are lower than those set for Active members. Click here for 2009 dues information.

Academic Active Member Status
Academic membership may be granted to those applicants who are graduates of colleges of veterinary medicine who work primarily (75% or more) of their time in an academic institution and who agree to abide by the principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of this Association. Candidates for academic active membership can complete a membership application online, download an application for membership or can request an application by calling 888-550-7862, ext. 104. All applications to be considered must be accompanied by the dues payment for the first year. Such applicants may be elected to academic membership upon a majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Click here for 2009 dues information.

Student Member Status
Dues-free membership is granted to veterinary medical students who permanently reside in Pennsylvania and are currently enrolled in an out-of-state accredited college of veterinary medicine, and any veterinary medical student currently enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Students should submit an application for membership (this form is a pdf and requires Adobe Acrobat to view). Applicants may be elected to student membership upon majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Students shall have all the privileges of active membership, except they shall not pay dues, hold office, or vote.

Graduate Member Status
Upon graduation from an accredited college of veterinary medicine, graduates applying for membership are eligible to continue their dues-free student membership until January 1 of the following year. For two consecutive years following graduation, recent graduates pay a significantly discounted dues rate. Graduate members have the same rights and privileges of membership as Active members. Applicants should complete the same application for membership (this form is a pdf and requires Adobe Acrobat to view). as stipulated above for Active members. All applications must be accompanied by the dues for the first year. Applications for graduate member status are approved upon a majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

Veterinary Industry Partner Status
The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association created the Veterinary Industry Partner membership category in 2003 in recognition of the important relationship that the Association has with our veterinary-related corporate partners. Strategic partnering with veterinary companies allows our Association to grow and accomplish its objectives. Together, we assist the veterinary profession through education on and promotion of new technologies, treatments, and medications that enhance the quality and longevity of animals’ lives. It is through the cooperative support of local company representatives that we are able to make a difference not only to our members by offering high-quality continuing education programs, publications, and services but also to other members of the veterinary team and the animals the veterinary profession serves.

Applicants applying for Veterinary Industry Partner membership can complete an application for membership or can request an application by calling 888-550-7862. The completed application should be mailed to PVMA office at 12 Briarcrest Square, Hershey, PA 17033. Click here for 2009 dues information.

Life Member Status
Life membership may be conferred upon any Active member who:

• has been in good standing in the Association for twenty-five years and who is not less than sixty-five years of age, or
• upon one who, in the opinion of the Board of Governors, should be relieved of the further payment of dues.

Election to Life membership status shall be upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees. Life members may not hold office as president, president-elect, vice president, secretary-treasurer and/or delegate to the AVMA, but may be seated on the Board of Trustees with a vote when elected or appointed by their respective constituent association. They shall have all the other privileges of active members except that they shall be exempt from the payment of dues.