Join ACR/ARP Community
Your ACR/ARP membership means you are on the forefront of cutting-edge information with countless opportunities to expand your network. It means it's about your team and its strong foundation of education and support.
So are you ready to join more than 8,500 physicians, health professionals, and scientists worldwide? Your American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ACR/ARP) membership awaits you and your team!
We invite you to join ACR/ARP today. If you are not sure which membership is right for you, see information about the ACR and ARP membership types below.
Join the ACR/ARP – Where the World of Rheumatology Unites
Coming Soon
Get a sneak peek of the reimagined ACR/ARP membership model.
Membership Details
See details about ACR and ARP membership types, fees and requirements, and then complete the online application to join.
Note: Membership applications are saved automatically by moving to the next step. If you need to leave the application and return later to complete it, go the My Account page, find your application in the Membership Application section, and click edit.
Note:
All ACR membership categories require at least one letter of recommendation from a current ACR member. To assist in completing letters of recommendation, the ACR created a Member Recommendation Form.
Fellow
Degree: MD or DO
Requirements: ABIM, ABP, or AOBIM certified in rheumatology
Country of Residence: United States, Canada, Mexico
Application Requirements: Two (2) letters of recommendation from current ACR members
Annual Dues: $415 (subscriptions to Arthritis & Rheumatology and Arthritis Care & Research included)
International Fellow
Degree: MD, DO, or equivalent
Requirements (meet one of the criteria below):
- ABIM, ABP, or AOBIM certified in rheumatology
- Successful completion of rheumatology training in a residency training program approved by the ACGME
- Successful completion of a rheumatology training program outside of North America lasting a minimum of two (2) years
- ACR International Member in good standing for a minimum of five (5) continuous years
Annual Dues: $415 (subscriptions to Arthritis & Rheumatology and Arthritis Care & Research included)
Member
Degree: MD, DO, DVM, DMD, DDS, DPH, EdD, PhD, PharmD
Requirements: Not certified in rheumatology; engaged in a rheumatology-related specialty (e.g. Internal Medicine, Allergy and Immunology) OR actively engaged in scientific research in the field of rheumatology or immunology
Country of Residence: United States, Canada, Mexico
Application Requirements: One (1) letter of recommendation from a current ACR member
Annual Dues: $415 (subscriptions to Arthritis & Rheumatology and Arthritis Care & Research included)
International Member
Degree: MD, DO, or equivalent
Requirements: No certification in rheumatology required; meet one of the criteria below
- Not yet eligible for International Fellowship
- Actively engaged in a rheumatology-related specialty (e.g. Internal Medicine, Allergy and Immunology)
- Actively engaged in scientific research in the field of rheumatology or immunology
Annual Dues: $415 (subscriptions to Arthritis & Rheumatology and Arthritis Care & Research included)
Emeritus
Degree: MD, DO, DVM, DMD, DDS, DPH, EdD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent
Requirements: Current or qualified Fellow, Member, International Fellow, or International Member who has reached the age of 70 or older
Country of Residence: All countries
Annual Dues: $55 (journal subscriptions not included; available at a reduced rate)
Student, Resident, Pre/Post-Doctoral
Degree: Minimum – Bachelors
Requirements: Enrolled in a graduate-level program in medicine or a related field; OR enrolled in a residency program and interested in rheumatology; OR engaged in a period of mentored research
Country of Residence: All countries
Application Requirements: A letter from your advisor/program director confirming your enrollment, listing the start and expected end date of your program of study
Annual Dues: No cost (online subscriptions to Arthritis & Rheumatology and Arthritis Care & Research included)
Fellow in Training
Degree: MD or DO
Requirements (United States): ABIM, ABP, or AOBIM certified (or eligible) in Internal Medicine and currently enrolled or less than one year out of a rheumatology training program
Requirements (International): Currently enrolled or less than one year out of a qualified rheumatology training program, accordingly to the regulations of his/her country
Country of Residence: All countries
Application Requirements: A letter from your advisor/program director confirming your enrollment, listing the start and expected end date of your program of study
Annual Dues: $110 (subscription to Arthritis & Rheumatology included)
Member
Requirements: Health practitioner (excluding North American licensed physician) or other professional who currently works or has an interest in rheumatology
Examples: Behavioral Science; Clinical, Health Services, Public Health and Translational Research; Laboratory Science; Nursing; Nurse Practitioner; Office Administration and Support Team; Pharmacy; Physician Assistant; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Radiology
Country of Residence: United States, Canada, Mexico
Annual Dues: $140 (subscription to Arthritis Care & Research included)
International Member
Requirements: Health practitioner (excluding licensed physician) or other professional who currently works or has an interest in rheumatology
Examples: Behavioral Science; Clinical, Health Services, Public Health and Translational Research; Laboratory Science; Nursing; Nurse Practitioner; Office Administration and Support Team; Pharmacy; Physician Assistant; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Radiology
Country of Residence: All countries outside North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
Annual Dues: $140 (subscription to Arthritis Care & Research included)
Emeritus
Requirements: Health practitioner or professional (excluding physicians) who has retired from active practice
Country of Residence: All countries
Annual Dues: $30 (journal subscriptions not included)
Student
Requirements: Enrolled in a health practitioner / professional program leading to a baccalaureate or graduate degree or post-professional training program (excluding physicians)
Examples of Programs: Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Social Work, Psychology, Laboratory Sciences, Physician Assistant, Health Education, Epidemiology
Application Requirements: A letter from your advisor/program director confirming your enrollment, listing the start and expected end date of your program of study
Country of Residence: All countries
Annual Dues: No cost (journal subscriptions not included)
Please allow two to three days for application processing after we receive all application materials. You will receive an email confirmation as you complete key steps in the process. Access to membership benefits begins immediately. A list of new members is presented to the Board of Directors for approval at quarterly meetings.
Any Fellow, International Fellow, Member, or International Member may request a 50% reduction in their dues for one year. The member must demonstrate some type of financial hardship rendering him/her unable to pay the dues in full. Examples: sudden loss of income, financial hardship, or extended medical leave. Income information may be required. If a dues reduction is granted, journal subscription access will be available online but not in print (if subscription is included with membership). Please send written requests to membership@rheumatology.org.
Coming Soon
New ACR/ARP Membership Options
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and its interprofessional division, Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP), are piloting new membership options beginning in May 2023. The model is intended to streamline the current broad number of member categories, provide a more personalized experience, and enhance the value of membership. During this pilot phase, the ACR will continue to be governed by the existing bylaws, with all current rights and privileges remaining in place until ratification of new membership categories by the ACR Board of Directors.
Individual Membership Experience
We’ve looked at the tools and technology involved in supporting the ACR/ARP community, as well as how to elevate the membership offerings that are important to you. In finding the right fit for you, ACR/ARP has reimagined the value of your membership experience with:
- A new website with streamlined navigation and modern visual engagements, all aligned with ACR and ARP's continuing initiatives to support our diverse membership
- Enhanced learning experiences and compelling subject matter expertise throughout the recently launched ACR Education Center
- Coming soon: Personalized Member Center and communications relevant to you and your professional journey
- Simplified membership categories
- Seamless access to your member profile and benefits
Simplified ACR Individual Membership Categories
- Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology
- Full Member
- Transitional
- Student/Resident
Simplified ARP Individual Membership Categories
- Member
- Transitional
- Student/Resident
Small Team Membership Experience
The ACR/ARP equips the entire rheumatology team with the most trusted research, resources, and education in the field of rheumatology. A thriving practice, training for the team, and exceptional patient care are the pillars upon which the new ACR/ARP Small Team Membership is focused. If you are part of a rheumatology care team, you will fit right in with this new ACR/ARP Small Team Membership offering.
Small Team Membership includes:
- Dues cost savings up to 40% depending on the size of your team
- All Individual ACR/ARP Membership benefits for each team member, plus free access to ACR’s exclusive course, online courses, such as Fundamentals of Rheumatology and The Training Rheum
- Free credit hours toward license renewals
- One consolidated invoice
- Transferable membership options
Small Team Membership Categories
- Team of 4 (1 physician + 3 interprofessionals): 20% savings
- Team of 6 (1 physician + 5 interprofessionals): 30% savings
- Team of 15 (1 physician + 14 interprofessionals): 40% savings
Information for Current ACR/ARP Members
- The membership pilot will launch in May 2023 and run through 2024. When your membership renewal date arrives, you will be prompted to use the new Find My Fit tool to guide you through the membership pilot process, matching you with the Individual or Small Team Membership category that fits you. The new membership categories will provide you with the same great opportunities, plus new additions that are outlined for you.
- Expect an incremental update to dues amounts reflected within the membership pilot, which allows for technology investments aimed at enhancing your user experience.
- Distinguished memberships will be based on degree type (ACR members reflect those with a medical degree, i.e., MD, DO, MBBS, MBChB, DVM, DMD, etc., and ARP members reflect those with terminal degrees in health professions), as approved by the ACR Board of Directors in October 2022. Existing ACR PhD members at the time of the membership pilot launch will be grandfathered in and remain within an ACR membership category upon renewal, using the Find My Fit tool. All new members with terminal degrees in health professions will join an ARP membership category best suited for them.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about new resources and benefits of the new membership pilot or contact membership@rheumatology.org for assistance.