Rejoining the AAFP or reinstating your membership restores access to key benefits and support.

Why maintaining your AAFP membership matters

Whether you’re returning after a break or ready to get more involved, your AAFP membership ensures uninterrupted access to the clinical tools, CME, and community that support your work in family medicine. Rejoining or reinstating helps you stay connected to a strong network of peers and a national voice that speaks up for the family medicine specialty.

Reinstate vs. rejoin: Key differences

Benefits of reinstating membership

Keep your original enrollment date and eligibility milestones

Reinstating means you pick up your membership right where you left off—with no gap in your official membership record. This option allows you to:

Reinstate to preserve your AAFP status

• Retain your original enrollment date
• Remain eligible for the Degree of Fellow (requiring six total years of membership)
• Continue progressing toward life membership (requiring 25 years of active membership, including five consecutive years before election)

Benefits of Rejoining the AAFP

Start fresh with a new membership and full benefits

Rejoining means starting over with a new enrollment date. This option is best if you’re looking for a clean slate or your previous membership lapsed some time ago.

Steps to rejoin and restore your access

• Submit a new member application
• Pay first-year dues in full (or set up an installment plan)
• Provide proof of 100 CME credits earned in the last two years (if your membership lapsed within that time)

CME and dues considerations

If you’re reinstating, you’ll need to:

• Pay any outstanding dues for lapsed years
• Report sufficient CME to cover each reelection cycle missed during your lapse (if your prior member type was active or supporting family physician)

If you’re rejoining, your CME requirements may vary depending on how long ago your membership ended. The AAFP Member Resource Center can help you figure it out.