Annual Fees and Dues Billing and Statements
Frequently Asked Fees & Dues Questions
What are the different items that are billed on an annual statement?
A: The initial annual billing has three items that are billed: The annual Certification Management Fees (CMF) for Diplomates or Dues for Regular Members. These first items billed (CMF or Dues) are mandatory payments and are required to remain active and in good standing. Also, there are voluntary Auxiliary Dues and a voluntary NIF donation. Voluntary Auxiliary Dues are only required for those spouses/family members who want to participate as a member of the Auxiliary and the NIF contributions fund recognition activities.
What is the period that is covered by the Annual CMF or Dues?
A: The period that is covered by yearly dues is January 1st to December 31st of the billing year or at any point within the billing year until December 31st of that same year. For example: If you join in April of 2014 then your membership in AAPS is from April 2014 until December 31, 2014.
If I join as a new member or Diplomate later in the year do I have to pay the full year’s fees or dues?
A: Our annual CMF and dues are prorated in quarterly amounts over the course of a year. The amount you pay is based on the date you are certified (becomes a Diplomate) or the date your Membership Application was received and approved.
The amounts are as follows:
January 1st – March 31st 100% of annual fees,
April 1st – June 30th 75% of annual fees,
July 1st – September 30th 50% of annual fees,
October 1st – December 31st 25% of annual fees.
Who is considered a Diplomate or Member?
A: Diplomate: An individual certified by ABPS and who’s certification is managed by ABPS and has not expired.
Member: An individual joining AAPS for the first time who wishes to be actively engaged with/in the associations governance or who have not been certified as a diplomate with ABPS.
These persons, prior to becoming a Diplomate or Member are applicants and must be approved by AAPS/ABPS.
When will I receive a CMF or Dues notice?
A: Initial annual Certification Management Fees (CMF) or Membership Dues notices are mailed in October for the following year. This is done to give members adequate time to pay their annual fees prior to the first of the year. Additional notices are sent out in December, February (with Late Fees added), and April (with a reinstatement fees added). A letter will accompany the April invoice informing the member of removal from good standing and the inactivation of their account if a member has not paid their annual fees by that time.
Do I have to pay my yearly CMF or Dues by January 1?
A: No. We do recommend having your payment in as soon as possible but it is not required to be in by January 1st. However, fees or dues received after January 31st are billed a late fee. Also, in order to remain an active diplomate/member “in good standing” we must receive your yearly fees or dues no later than March 31st of the involved year. Inactive Diplomates or members who pay their Fees after July 1st of the billing year will be required to remit all of the next years CMF or membership dues.
What is an active Diplomate/member “in good standing” and how does it affect me?
A: An active Diplomate/member “in good standing” is a Diplomate or member who is up to date with all required obligations (both financial and administrative) for the current billing year or past years before the March 31st of the billing year. Full payment of all required fees and/or dues plus furnishing a signed attestation should place a Diplomate or member in good standing. Only Diplomates or members “in good standing” receive organization mailings and information and have the ability to have their credentials verified by AAPS or its designated verification organization.
What will I have to do if my membership lapses?
A: If a member lets their membership lapse then they will have to pay all outstanding dues, late fees, and reinstatement fees up through the current year prior to their membership being reinstated.
What are the Auxiliary Dues?
A: Auxiliary dues are used to support various events or programs offered by AAPS/ABPS. These dues are totally voluntary and are not mandatory payments for a member to remain in good standing except for Auxiliary Board officers.
What are late fees and reinstatement fees and when are they charged?
A: Late fees and reinstatement fees are fees that are added at certain points in the billing year for persons who have not yet paid required certification management fees (CMF) or membership dues.
- Late Fees are billed to Diplomates or members who have not paid their annual fees/dues before January 31st of the billing year.
- Reinstatement fees are billed to Diplomates or members who have not paid their annual fees/dues by March 31st and are no longer a member in good standing.
Both fees are mandatory payments once they are billed to the individual. An additional reinstatement fee will be assessed on CMF or Dues received after September 31st of the billing year. Reinstatement fees accrue each billing year when annual fees are not paid. Diplomates or members who have not paid their CMF or membership fees by September 31st of the billing year will be assessed an additional $100.00 for a penalty.
How can my account be “inactive” and how will it affect me?
A: The account for a Diplomate or member who has not met all required AAPS/ABPS obligations (both financial and administrative) for the current billing year will be placed in an inactive status. Diplomates or members not in good standing will not receive organization mailings and information nor have the ability to have their credentials verified by AAPS or its designated verification organization.
How can I pay my yearly dues?
A: There are various ways that yearly dues can be paid. We accept checks, money orders, and Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Also, Fees and Dues can be paid on line on the AAPS and ABPS websites. There is currently no fee for Visa and MasterCard and a 3% fee of the total charge made for American Express credit card charges of over $1000.
NOTE: All Fee Pricing is subject to change prior to annual billing cycles starting. This diagram is only for reference and description purposes. It should not be used at any time to determine current dues amount owed. In order to determine this amount reference actual dues invoice or call AAPS directly for the amount.
1. Organizational Address/Return Address.
2. Invoice Reminder Number.
3. Member ID Number and Member Type.
4. Annual CMF or Dues Fee (Mandatory Fee to remain active and in Good Standing).
5. Late Fees (Mandatory Fee Payment for CMF Paid after 1 February of the involved year. This amount will not appear on dues statement until after 1 February of the involved year.)
6. Reinstatement Fee (Mandatory Fee Payment for CMF Paid after 31 March of the involved year. (This amount will not appear on dues statement until after 31 March of the involved year.)
7. Total amount billed including both mandatory and optional fees.
8. Member mailing address. This is the preferred mailing address as noted by the member. If this address is incorrect please place correct address in area # 17 on the remittance stub.
9. Involved year and purpose of invoice.
10. Terms of payment.
11. General information area.
12. Annuals Payment/Fee schedule.
13. Lobbying funds disclaimer.
14. Remittance Stub. (Ensure to return with CMF payment to ensure proper credit of payment).
15. E-mail Address, if e-mail address is new or updated please note in this area.
16. Change of address area. If address in area # 9 is incorrect please note corrections or proper/preferred address in this area. Note: All items sent from AAPS to member will be sent to this address.
17. Verification Statement.
18. Signature and Date. This is signature verification for the statement in area # 18.
