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FAQ: Early-Career Dues Discount

What is the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount?
The APTA Early-Career Dues Discount is the way for you to save 50% (up to $270) off your national, chapter, and section dues in your first year postgraduation. Additionally, eligible members who are two- to four-years postgraduation can save on membership renewal.

The discounts for the pilot are as follows:

  • 40% off national, participating chapter and section dues — second year postgraduation.
  • 30% off national, participating chapter and section dues — third year postgraduation.
  • 20% off national, participating chapter and section dues — fourth year postgraduation.

Is my chapter or section participating in the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount?
APTA and all chapters offer 50% off national and chapter dues for members in their first year postgraduation.

Each year, sections are invited to enroll, reenroll, or discontinue its participation in APTA Early-Career Dues Discount for members who are two- to four-years postgraduation. Here are the 2023 section participants:

  • Acute Care.
  • Aquatics.
  • Cardiovascular & Pulmonary.
  • Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management.
  • Education.
  • Federal.
  • Geriatrics.
  • Hand & Upper Extremity.
  • Home Health.
  • Leadership & Innovation.
  • Neurology.
  • Oncology.
  • Orthopaedics.
  • Pediatrics.
  • Pelvic Health.
  • Private Practice.
  • Research.
  • Sports.

Each year, chapters are invited to enroll, reenroll, or discontinue their participation for members who are two- to four-years postgraduation. Including APTA, here are the 2023 chapter participants:

  • Alabama.
  • Alaska.
  • Arizona.
  • Arkansas.
  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Connecticut.
  • Delaware.
  • District of Columbia.
  • Florida.
  • Georgia.
  • Hawaii.
  • Idaho.
  • Illinois.
  • Indiana.
  • Iowa.
  • Kansas.
  • Kentucky.
  • Louisiana.
  • Maine.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Michigan.
  • Minnesota.
  • Missouri.
  • Mississippi.
  • Montana.
  • Nebraska.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.
  • New Jersey.
  • New Mexico.
  • New York.
  • North Carolina.
  • North Dakota.
  • Ohio.
  • Oklahoma.
  • Oregon.
  • Pennsylvania.
  • Rhode Island.
  • South Carolina.
  • South Dakota.
  • Tennessee.
  • Utah.
  • Vermont.
  • Virginia.
  • Washington.
  • Wisconsin.
  • Wyoming. 

What do I need to do to receive the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount at my next renewal?
Nothing! Your membership renewal form will automatically reflect the appropriate savings if you're eligible. Refunds for prior renewals will not be provided.

How do I know if I'm eligible for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount?

  • Make sure that your APTA student membership is active at graduation.
  • Maintain continuous APTA membership postgraduation.

What's the cost to renew my APTA membership?
Use the APTA Dues Calculator to estimate your national, chapter, and optional section dues before the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount is applied. Your renewal notice will indicate discounts if you're eligible.

Note: APTA Early-Career Dues Discounts only apply to participating section dues.

I graduated from physical therapy school in 2021. Will I qualify for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount at my next renewal in 2023?
Yes, as long as you've been an APTA member continuously since your last year as a physical therapy student through now.

My chapter is not participating. Can I join a different chapter?
No, members are required to belong to the chapter of the state in which they live, work, or attend school (or an adjacent state if more active participation is possible).

What happens if I move and my new chapter isn't participating? Am I still eligible for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount?
Eligible members will continue to save 50% off national and chapter dues the first year postgraduation. If your new chapter doesn't participate for members who are two- to four- years postgraduation, the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount will still apply to your national dues; however, chapter dues would be full.

I was a student member in the past; however, my membership expired before graduation. Am I still eligible for APTA Early-Dues Discount savings?
No, to qualify for the Early-Career Dues Discount, your APTA student membership must have been current at graduation.

If my membership expires, am I still eligible for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount?
No, continuous membership from student membership is required to qualify for years two through four of Early-Career Dues savings.

Note: Student members at graduation have up to six months from their student expiration date to renew and still maintain eligibility for APTA Early-Career Dues Discount.

I graduated from my physical therapy program in 2012 and earned a post-professional MBA degree in 2021. Am I eligible for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount?
No, eligibility is based on the graduation date associated with your entry-level physical therapy program graduation date, not your post-professional degree.

I'm completing a residency/fellowship and receive the PT post-professional student dues rate. Am I eligible for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount on top of those savings?
No, you must choose either the PT post-professional student dues rate or the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount.

I've completed my residency/fellowship and am currently assigned to the PT post-professional student dues category. Am I eligible for the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount at my next renewal?
If you've graduated from or completed your APTA-credentialed residency or fellowship program, you may qualify for reduced dues under the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount (continuous membership is required). To confirm eligibility or request this single-time exception to shift to the APTA Early-Career Dues Discount, contact APTA's Member Success at 800-999-2782, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET, prior to your membership expiration date.