New member FAQs
Quick links
Membership and member preferences
Membership renewal and dues
Member benefits
Professional resources
AVMA
Membership and member preferences
Who do I contact if I have questions about my membership?
AVMA’s member services team is available to answer any of your questions. Here’s how to get in touch:
- Website: Contact us
- Phone: 800-248-2862 ext. 6631
- Email: memberrecordsavma [dot] org (memberrecords[at]avma[dot]org)
I no longer want to receive print copies of JAVMA. How can I make my subscription online only?
Go to the personal information tab of your member profile. Change the selection in the AVMA journals subscriptions box to “Online-only JAVMA, with free access to AJVR.”
Then go to the email subscriptions tab of your profile and check the boxes to receive JAVMA: In This Issue and the AVMA News Bulletin. You’ll receive email newsletters with both the latest news as well as JAVMA articles.
Membership renewal and dues
Does my membership auto-renew?
If you elect to pay your AVMA membership fees on a monthly basis through a direct bank draw, your membership will renew automatically. You’ll receive notification of the automatic renewal in early October for the following year.
If you elect to pay your AVMA membership fees at once, your membership will not renew automatically. You’ll receive an invoice and email alert in October to renew membership for the following year.
Can my employer pay my AVMA dues?
Many employers offer to pay AVMA membership dues as an employee benefit. If you need a receipt for reimbursement, you can use either the email confirmation you receive after submitting your online application, or an official receipt once your application is approved.
Are my dues tax deductible?
AVMA dues are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. They may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. However, the estimated 6.25% that is attributable to AVMA lobbying expenses is not deductible.
How does the reduced membership rate work? How do I know if I qualify for reduced dues?
AVMA members may qualify for a dues reduction under the following circumstances:
- Educational program: AVMA members in good standing who are pursuing a full-time program of graduate study, postgraduate study, internship, or residency
- Family obligations: AVMA members in good standing who are temporarily leaving the practice of veterinary medicine due to family obligations
- Retirement
Dues waivers also are available to certain AVMA members due to physical disability, illness, or extenuating circumstances.
Visit the reduced dues webpage for more details and how to apply.
Member benefits
How do I sign up or renew my AVMA PLIT or AVMA LIFE insurance coverage?
AVMA members are eligible for AVMA PLIT and AVMA LIFE coverage, but it is not automatic. You need to buy or renew coverage directly from AVMA PLIT and AVMA LIFE.
Are there different types of membership? Are my benefits the same if my employer paid for my membership?
There is only one type of AVMA membership. Whether you or your employer paid for AVMA membership dues, you get the same great benefits.
Where can I find an overview of my member benefits?
You can explore the many professional and personal benefits included in your AVMA membership on our member benefits page.
Professional resources
Does the AVMA have career resources besides a job board?
The AVMA Veterinary Career Center (VCC) is more than a job board. It contains a wide array of resources and powerful tools for both jobseekers and employers. These include tips to help you find and secure your next dream job, make a career transition, build your personal brand, and attract top talent for your organization. Visit avma.org/VCC.
Is all of AVMA’s continuing education (CE) free for members?
Many of the CE webinars and online certificate programs offered through AVMA Axon are free to members, and members enjoy price discounts for the others. The AVMA Convention, Veterinary Leadership Conference, and Veterinary Business and Economic Forum also offer many hours of in-person and digital CE. Members enjoy discounted registration to these events.
Where can I find AVMA’s policies and guidelines?
All AVMA policies and guidelines are available at avma.org/Policy. You can search policies by keywords, or sort them by type, topic, discipline, or species. Learn how AVMA policy is made.
What does AVMA do to support members’ mental health? If I’m not OK, what should I do?
If you believe you’re in crisis, please get help immediately by calling 800-273-8255 or contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Crisis Chat.
Wellbeing is one of the most important issues facing the veterinary profession, and it’s a critical focus of the AVMA. AVMA is continually developing tools and resources to support the health and wellbeing of veterinarians and our teams. These include free QPR suicide prevention training, cyberbullying and crisis management help, tips to support a culture of wellbeing, the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) assessment, CE opportunities, and more. Find them all at avma.org/Wellbeing.
AVMA
How does the AVMA work? How are decisions made?
The AVMA is a member-run, member-driven association, with members at the heart of organizational decision-making – serving on the councils, committees, and task forces that advise our Board of Directors (BOD) and House of Delegates (HOD). AVMA members also elect the 11 district directors who serve on the BOD. The HOD is made up of representatives of state, territorial, and allied veterinary groups. Learn more about how AVMA is organized and governed.
What does it mean to volunteer with the AVMA?
Volunteers are engaged in a wide variety of activities on behalf of the association, including serving on the councils, committees, and task forces that advise the BOD and HOD on topics ranging from veterinary services to legislation and education. Other examples of volunteering include making presentations to lawmakers, helping with the planning and execution of the annual AVMA Convention, conducting site visits to evaluate veterinary colleges for accreditation, and serving as an informational or advisory resource on a specific topic. For more information visit avma.org/Volunteer.
Is the AVMA politically affiliated? What does the AVMA Political Action Committee (PAC) do?
The AVMA is not politically affiliated. The AVMA Political Action Committee helps develop relationships with lawmakers and members of Congress to discuss the issues that are important to the profession. Visit avma.org/PAC for details.