Membership Topics
Overview
What is ABAI membership and what does it provide?
ABAI membership connects you to a global community of behavior analysis professionals, researchers, educators, and students while providing access to
valuable professional resources and exclusive member benefits.
As an ABAI member, you'll have opportunities to stay current with developments in the field, expand your professional network, and save on conferences,
publications, and continuing education. Membership benefits include:
- Discounts on ABAI conferences, publications, and Learning Center courses
- Access to the Perspectives on Behavior Science journal and Inside Behavior Analysis member newsletter (benefits vary by membership type)
- 10 complimentary continuing education credits through the ABAI Learning Center
- Access to the online member directory and Career Center
- Discounts on professional liability insurance and other member partner programs
- Opportunities to present at ABAI conferences, participate in the Association, and connect with behavior analysts from around the world
- Voting privileges for Full Members on organizational business and elections
To view a full comparison of member benefits by membership category, please visit the ABAI Membership page:
Membership - Association for Behavior Analysis International.
What are the different membership types?
- Affiliate Membership: For those with an interest in behavior analysis or who have completed undergraduate work
but do not yet meet Full member requirements, Affiliate membership includes all of the discounts and information afforded by ABAI membership. Affiliate members
do not participate in ABAI governance.
For more information, please view the Affiliate Membership section below.
- Full Membership: For those with a minimum of a master's degree in psychology, behavior analysis, or a related field, Full membership affords
the privilege of participation in the governance of ABAI through the election of the Executive Council and by voting on business matters.
For more information, please view the Full Membership section below.
- Student Membership: Membership for current students provides tools for educational and career development. Student members will receive all
ABAI member benefits and may vote for student representatives to the Executive Council. Full-time undergraduate or graduate students, residents, or interns may apply for reduced-fee Student membership. Verification of full-time student, intern, or resident status must be submitted with your application.
For more information, please view the Student Membership section below.
- Student Transition Membership: For individuals who have graduated within the last 18 months from an undergraduate or graduate program. Membership
for recent students provides tools for educational and career development. Transitional Student members will receive all ABAI member benefits and may vote for student representatives to the Executive Council. Verification of recent graduation must be submitted with your application.
For more information, please view the Transitional Student Membership section below.
- Chapter/Adjunct Membership: For individuals who are current members of ABAI affiliated chapters, Chapter/Adjunct membership includes discounted
pricing on ABAI journals and events. Chapter/Adjunct members do not participate in ABAI governance.
For more information, please view the Chapter/Adjunct Membership section below.
What is the ABAI membership cycle?
The ABAI membership cycle is the annual period during which your membership is active. Rather than beginning the date you join, all ABAI memberships follow
the same membership year. The ABAI membership year runs from September 1 through August 31.
Please note that ABAI Membership fees are not pro-rated and will remain the same regardless of when you join or renew during the membership cycle.
What is the timeline of the ABAI membership cycle and when can I renew?
- September 1: The new membership year begins, and members can join or renew for the upcoming membership cycle.
- September 1 through August 31: Your membership remains active and you have access to member benefits during this period.
- August 31: The membership year ends. To continue your membership and benefits without interruption, you'll need to renew for the next membership cycle.
Please note that ABAI membership fees are not pro-rated will remain the same regardless of when you join or renew during the membership cycle.
What are the renewal options?
ABAI offers both a 1-year renewal and a 3-year renewal option. Renewing ensures that your membership remains active. For Full membership, it also maintains
your voting privileges. Choosing a 3-year renewal allows you to pay three consecutive membership years at one time, so you do not need to renew annually
during that period.
What are the prices for each membership type?
Membership dues vary depending on your membership category, geographic region, and the length of membership you choose.
ABAI offers several membership categories, and the cost of membership is based on where you reside as well as whether you would like to purchase a
1-year renewal or 3-year renewal. Because pricing differs by region, there is not a single fee that applies to all members.
The dues for Affiliate membership and Full membership are the same within each geographic region. The only difference in cost is based on your region
and whether you choose a 1-year or 3-year membership term.
Please note that ABAI membership fees are not pro-rated will remain the same regardless of when you join or renew during the membership cycle.
To view the current membership dues for each membership category in your region, please visit the
Membership Fees page on the ABAI website.
Where can I find membership pricing for specific events?
Please see the Registration tab, located on the
event homepage, for the specific ABAI event you are interested in attending.
Affiliate Membership
What is Affiliate membership and what does it offer?
Affiliate membership is available to anyone with an interest in behavior analysis, including individuals who do not yet meet the requirements for Full membership.
Affiliate members receive access to ABAI’s member benefits, including discounted event registration and continuing education opportunities, complimentary access to Perspectives on Behavior Science, online learning through the Learning Center, reduced professional liability insurance rates, and access to hundreds of jobs through ABAI’s Career Center.
What are the different Affiliate membership types?
ABAI offers four Affiliate membership options:
- Affiliate Membership – Standard membership for individuals interested in behavior analysis who do not yet meet the requirements for Full membership.
- Affiliate Supporting Membership – Includes all Affiliate benefits while providing additional financial support to encourage the involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in the science and practice of behavior analysis.
- Affiliate Sustaining Membership – Similar to Supporting membership, with increased dues that provide additional support for student involvement. Supporting and Sustaining members are recognized in the annual convention program book and Inside Behavior Analysis.
- Affiliate Emeritus Membership – Available to members age 65 and older (verification required). Emeritus members receive the same benefits as other Affiliate members, along with reduced convention registration rates.
How do I apply?
To apply for Affiliate membership, visit the
Membership page and select "
Join/Renew Online."
After logging into your ABAI portal account, or creating one if you do not already have one, you will be directed to a page where you can select the Affiliate membership type that you feel best fits your needs.
Affiliate membership offers both a 1-year renewal and a 3-year renewal option. Choosing a 3-year renewal allows you to pay three consecutive membership years at one time, so you do not need to renew annually during that period.
What is the difference between Affiliate membership and Full membership?
Both Affiliate and Full members enjoy access to ABAI's member benefits and resources. The primary difference is that Full membership requires meeting additional eligibility criteria established in the ABAI bylaws and includes voting privileges in ABAI governance. Affiliate membership is available to individuals who do not meet the requirements for Full membership, or who choose not to apply for Full membership, and does not include voting rights.
Full Membership
What is Full membership and what does it offer?
Full membership is available to individuals who satisfy the eligibility requirements for Full
membership, which include qualifying education, training, and/or professional experience as outlined in the ABAI bylaws.
In addition to
standard member benefits, Full members may participate in the governance of
ABAI by voting in Executive Council elections and on business matters, allowing them to help guide the future of the Association.
What is the difference between Affiliate membership and Full membership?
Both Affiliate and Full members enjoy access to ABAI's member benefits and resources. The primary difference is that Full membership
requires meeting additional eligibility criteria established in the ABAI bylaws and includes voting privileges in ABAI governance.
Affiliate membership is available to individuals who do not meet the requirements for Full membership, or who choose not to apply for
Full membership, and does not include voting rights.
How do I apply?
To apply for any Full membership category, visit the
Membership page and select "
Join/Renew Online."
After logging into your ABAI portal account, or creating one if you do not already have one, you will be directed to a page where you can select the Full membership category for which you are eligible. You will then be prompted to complete your application and upload any required documentation for review. Your application will not be reviewed until it has been officially submitted.
Full membership offers both a 1-year renewal and a 3-year renewal option. Renewing ensures your membership remains active and maintains your voting privileges. Choosing a 3-year renewal allows you to pay three consecutive membership years at one time, so you do not need to renew annually during that period. If your membership lapses more than 3 years, you’ll be required to re-apply for full membership (i.e., you’ll need to resubmit an application and upload any required documentation for review).
What are the three categories and what do they mean?
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Category 1: Graduate of an ABAI-Accredited Master’s or Doctoral Program
Category 1 Full members have earned their master's or doctoral degree from an ABAI-accredited institution during the period that said institution was granted ABAI-accreditation.
To view ABAI-accredited programs, please follow this link:
Accredited Programs - Association for Behavior
Analysis International Accreditation Board
-
Category 2: Graduate of a Non-ABAI-Accredited Master’s or Doctoral Program
Category 2 Full members have earned their master's or doctoral degree from any institution and have met the behavior analytic coursework requirements.
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Category 3: Significant Contributions to Behavior Analysis
Category 3a Full members have been a significant contributor to at least two published behavior analytic papers.
Category 3b Full members have completed at least two case reports that demonstrate behavior change with data.
How do I know which category to apply for?
What materials do I need to apply for each Full membership category?
Category 1: Graduate of an ABAI-Accredited Master’s or Doctoral Program
Application materials required:
-
Transcript or diploma of your master’s or doctoral degree from an ABAI-accredited program showing the date the degree was conferred.
Important: To qualify for this category, your degree must have been conferred while the program was actively accredited by the
ABAI Accreditation Board. Please refer to the list of ABAI-accredited programs and their accreditation periods to confirm eligibility.
Category 2: Graduate of a Non-ABAI-Accredited Master’s or Doctoral Program
Application materials required:
-
Copy of your master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation or project (e.g., published manuscript, a formal thesis, or a poster presented at a scientific meeting)
Important: The project must be behavior analytic in nature.
-
Copy of your master’s and/or doctoral transcript that demonstrates 18 hours of behavior analytic coursework
Important: Please upload in English and highlight courses that you deem behavior analytic.
Category 3a: Significant Contributions to Behavior Analysis
Application materials required:
- Copy of your CV
- Two published papers to which you were a significant contributor
Category 3b: Significant Contributions to Behavior Analysis
Application Materials Required:
- Two case reports (personal information redacted) describing behavior analytic programs implemented, goals achieved, and behavior data (numerical or graphic) showing behavior change.
Why does ABAI need specific materials for Full membership applications?
Supporting documents help ABAI confirm that applicants meet the eligibility requirements for Full membership as established in the ABAI bylaws.
Providing this information allows the Application Review Committee to accurately assess eligibility and maintain a fair and consistent review
process for all applicants.
What if I am a renewing Full member?
Renewing ensures your membership remains active and maintains your voting privileges.
Renewing Full members do not need to submit the Full membership application upon annual renewal. You will simply renew membership
by submitting payment, updating any relevant personal information, and completing the membership survey.
However, if Full membership has lapsed for over three years, you will have to submit the Full membership application again to be
reviewed by the Application Review Committee. Prior members who have held Full membership for 10 or more years are eligible for an expedited review. In lieu of re-submitting the entirety of the Full membership application, you will only be required to submit a current CV.
How often do I need to reapply for Full membership?
Once your Full membership application has been approved, you do not need to reapply each year. To maintain your Full membership and voting
privileges, you should renew your membership for each membership cycle before it expires. ABAI offers both 1-year and 3-year renewal options.
Choosing a 3-year renewal allows you to pay three consecutive membership years at one time, so you do not need to renew annually during that
period. If your membership lapses for more than 3 years, you will need to reapply for Full membership. Please see the question "What if I am
a renewing member?" for more information about the renewal process and membership lapses.
Do I have to resubmit my materials every time I reapply? Why?
Renewing Full members do not need to submit the Full membership application upon renewal.
However, if Full membership has lapsed for over 3 years, you will have to submit the Full Membership application to be reviewed by
the Application Review Committee. ABAI does not retain prior application materials for use in future reviews. We understand that
resubmitting the same documents with each application can be frustrating. However, each application is reviewed as a standalone
submission, and providing all required materials ensures that the Application Review Committee has a complete record to evaluate
eligibility consistently and fairly in accordance with the ABAI bylaws.
What if I cannot access certain documents to submit for the category that I am applying for? What can I submit instead?
You may meet the criteria for more than one category, and we encourage you to apply to the category of which you can provide all required
documentation for. If a required document is unavailable or cannot be obtained to submit with your application, please note that the Application
Review Committee may be unable to approve your application under the selected category. The required supporting documentation for each Full
membership category is established in the ABAI bylaws and is used by the Application Review Committee to determine whether an applicant meets
the eligibility requirements for that category. As a result, certain documents are required and cannot be substituted with other materials.
If an application is submitted with incorrect, incomplete, or missing supporting documentation, or if the materials do not meet the
requirements for the selected Full membership category, an ABAI team member will contact you to discuss your options. This may include providing
guidance on another Full membership category for which you may be eligible and advising you on any additional documentation needed to support
your application. Please use our
ABAI Full Membership Decision Tree for help.
Who reviews my application?
Full membership applications are reviewed by the Application Review Committee, a committee of experienced ABAI members appointed in accordance
with the ABAI bylaws. The current Application Review Committee members can be found here:
Application Review Committee The committee reviews
each application and supporting documentation to determine whether the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for the selected Full membership
category.
How long will my application be under review?
The time required to review a Full membership application varies depending on factors such as application volume, the complexity of the materials
submitted, and the need for any additional information. Once submitted, ABAI staff review the application to ensure all materials are included,
then the application is sent to the Application Review Committee (ARC) where two committee members independently review the application. Additionally,
the ARC Chairperson may be required to make the final decision on an application. This entire process has a turnaround time of approximately 1 to 3
weeks. Once a decision is made, you will receive an email with the determination.
If your application has been pending for more than 3 weeks or if you have questions about your application, please feel free to contact
ABAI at
mail@abainternational.org. We're happy to provide a status update and assist with any questions you may have throughout the review process.
What happens after I submit my application?
After you submit your application, no further action is typically required unless you are contacted by ABAI with a request for additional materials.
If additional materials or clarification are needed to complete the review of your application, you may be
asked to provide supplemental documentation or answer questions about the materials you submitted. In some cases, if the documentation does not
demonstrate eligibility for the Full membership category you selected, we may contact you to discuss whether you qualify under a different category
and request any additional supporting materials needed for that review. Once a decision is made by the Application Review Committee, you will receive
an email with the determination.
Why does my membership status say Affiliate even though I applied for Full membership?
When first applying for Full membership, applicants will be classified as Affiliate members until all materials have been
reviewed and a decision has been made by the Application Review Committee.
How will I know when my application has been approved or denied?
Once a decision has been made on your application, you will receive an email notifying you of the determination. If your
application is approved, the email will include information about your new Full membership status. If additional information
is needed or your application is not approved, the email will explain the next steps and any available options.
My application has been denied. What can I do now?
You will receive an email with your membership determination. If denied, you will have the opportunity to submit an appeal.
The appeal can include any additional information that can be used to determine your eligibility for Full membership. The
Application Review Committee Chairperson will review any submitted appeals and provide an updated determination. This
process may take 1 to 2 weeks to receive a final determination following an appeal.
Student Membership
What is Student membership and what does it offer?
Student membership is available to full-time undergraduate or graduate students, residents, or interns for a reduced fee.
In addition to
standard member benefits, Student members may vote for student representatives to the Executive Council.
How do I apply?
To apply for a Student membership, visit the
Membership page and select "
Join/Renew Online."
After logging into your ABAI portal account, or creating one if you do not already have one, you will be directed to a page where you can select Student membership.
Student membership only offers a 1-year renewal option.
What materials do I need to apply for Student membership?
Verification of full-time student, intern, or resident status must be submitted with your application. Either of the following is acceptable documentation:
Student Transition Membership
What is Student Transition membership and what does it offer?
Student Transition membership is available to individuals who have graduated within the last 18 months from an undergraduate or graduate program.
In addition to
standard member benefits, Student Transition members may vote for student representatives to the Executive Council.
How do I apply?
To apply for a Student Transition membership, visit the
Membership page and select "
Join/Renew Online."
After logging into your ABAI portal account, or creating one if you do not already have one, you will be directed to a page where
you can select Student Transition membership.
Student Transition membership only offers a 1-year renewal option.
What materials do I need to apply for Student Transition membership?
Verification of recent graduation must be submitted with your application. Either of the following is acceptable documentation:
Chapter/Adjunct Membership
What is Chapter/Adjunct membership and what does it offer?
Chapter/Adjunct membership is available to individuals who are current members of ABAI affiliated chapters.
Chapter/Adjunct membership includes ABAI member benefits but does not include a subscription to Perspectives on
Behavior Science. Chapter/Adjunct members also do not participate in ABAI governance.
How do I apply?
To apply for a Chapter/Adjunct membership, visit the
Membership page and select
"
Join/Renew Online."
After logging into your ABAI portal account, or creating one if you do not already have one, you will be directed
to a page where you can select Chapter/Adjunct membership.
Chapter/Adjunct membership offers both a 1-year renewal and a 3-year renewal option. Choosing a 3-year renewal allows you to
pay three consecutive membership years at one time, so you do not need to renew annually during that period.
What materials do I need to apply for Chapter/Adjunct membership?
To qualify for a Chapter/Adjunct membership, you must be a member of one of ABAI’s affiliated chapters. The following documentation must be provided:
- A letter from your affiliated chapter verifying that your chapter membership is current.