Eligibility for the American Medical Association (AMA) is primarily extended to individuals who have attained a medical degree. The core criterion is holding a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Furthermore, physicians must maintain a valid license to practice medicine in a state, territory, or possession of the United States, or hold an academic faculty position in a school of medicine.
The AMA also defines specific pathways for other professionals to be eligible for AMA affiliation:
- Medical Students: Enrolled and in good standing at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA)-accredited institution.
- Residents & Fellows: Physicians enrolled in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or AOA-accredited training program.
- International Medical Graduates: Physicians who have graduated from a medical school outside the U.S. and Canada and possess a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate.
Therefore, the primary group eligible for AMA membership consists of licensed, degree-holding physicians. The association structures tiered membership categories to include trainees, ensuring representation across the career continuum. Individuals must verify their specific qualifications against the AMA's current bylaws to confirm their eligibility status