The COA offers membership categories for surgeons during each level of their orthopaedic careers. Candidates should apply for the appropriate membership category based on the criteria and requirements for each.

To become a COA Member please download and complete the

 Application for Membership

Categories of Membership

Active Membership

• Completed training in an approved programme in orthopaedic surgery.

• Obtained certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or equivalent qualification as accepted by the Association.

• His/Her medical practice is restricted to orthopaedic surgery.

Active members may vote and hold office in the Association. Active Membership fees for those applying during their first two years of practice will be reduced by fifty percent (50%) of the full Active Membership fees. Those who apply after their second year in practice will pay full dues.

Senior Membership
At age 65, Active members may become Senior members. In order to be transferred to Senior Membership status, a member must notify the Secretary of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association by registered mail, of the date of his/her 65th birthday, at least 30 days prior thereto.

Associate Membership

• Associate Membership may be accorded to residents who are in an approved Canadian orthopaedic training programme and to graduate fellows in orthopaedic training.

• These Associate members may not have voting rights, but may sit on certain committees as non-voting members where the Board of Directors judges their expertise useful.
  

Overseas Membership
Non-resident, not practicing in Canada or the U.S.A.

• Holds a FRCSC in orthopaedics or equivalent; or

• Has received part or all of one's training in Canada and had shown a continued interest in the affairs of the Association; and

• Is a qualified orthopaedic consultant in one's country and has fulfilled appropriate training and education standards.

• All Overseas candidates must have letters of recommendation from two Active members of the Association.

• Overseas members shall have no voting rights.
  

Honorary Membership

• Honorary Membership may be conferred upon members of the medical profession of acknowledged pre-eminence, and upon distinguished persons outside the medical profession who the Association may wish to honour.

• Under very special circumstances, and upon recommendation by the Board, Honorary members may be granted the privilege of holding office or an appointment in the Association, and shall be entitled to vote.
  

Affiliate Membership
This category of Membership is open to:

• Fully trained orthopaedic surgeons who practice full-time orthopaedic surgery in Canada, but who do not possess a FRCSC (Orthopaedics), a Quebec Certification (Orthopaedics) or are not diplomats of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery;

• Basic Scientists involved in orthopaedic research.

• Basic scientist candidates must have a letter of reference supporting their application from an active member of the Association.

• Under very special circumstances, and upon recommendation by the Board, Affiliate members may be granted the privilege of holding office or an appointment in the Association, and shall be entitled to vote.

Inactive Membership
Under special circumstances such as illness, maternity leave, academic leave or volunteer work, Active members may request to be considered inactive for the following Association fiscal year.

• An Inactive member must renew his/her request annually.

• In order to be considered Inactive, a member must notify the Secretary of the Association by registered mail.