Membership Criteria

Qualifications for Membership

A physician who holds a valid license to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy, or physicians’ assistants in the State of Nevada, and who resides or practices in Washoe County, or who resides or practices in a County in which there is no component Society, is eligible to apply for membership in this Society.  Membership is unified; members of the Washoe County Medical Society are required to also be members of the Nevada State Medical Association.  The membership application for the Washoe County Medical Society is also applicable to the Nevada State Medical Association.

Procedure for Admission

Applicants for membership in this Society must complete the prescribed application form and provide such information as the Board of Directors may request with reference to the applicant's education, training, professional competence, personal integrity, and moral and ethical qualities.  An affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors is necessary for election in any category of membership.

Membership Categories

Active Member- Any physician who is licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy in the State of Nevada and practices or resides in Washoe County shall be considered Active members of the Society. Such members shall have the right to vote and hold office and shall pay annual dues and assessments as set forth in Chapter V. Members who qualify for Active membership categories with the Nevada State Medical Association shall also qualify for Active membership categories with Washoe County Medical Society

Active-Limited Members – Active-Limited members shall be physicians otherwise qualified for Active membership who is pursuing or is otherwise involved with medicine on any compensated basis for an annual average of not more than twenty (20) hours per week as supported by proper documentation.  Active-Limited membership may be granted by the WCMS Board of Directors.  Active-Limited members shall pay dues as set forth by the Board of Directors, however, they shall not have the right to vote or hold elected office.

Affiliate Members/Physician Assistant – Affiliate membership in this society shall be limited to those physicians who are members in good standing with other medical societies and wish to take advantage of this Society’s benefits and services.  Affiliate members shall not have the right to vote or hold elected office, but shall be required to pay annual dues as set forth by the Board of Directors.

Physician’s Assistants, who have a valid license issued by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, and whose supervising physician is a member of the Washoe County Medical Society may apply for Physician’s Assistant Affiliate membership.  The WCMS must nominate the Physician’s Assistant and the NSMA Council must approve the nomination.  Dues for Physician’s assistant Affiliate members shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  Such members shall not have the right to vote or hold office, but may be appointed to Commissions, Special Committees and Task Forces by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Associate Members – Any physician, upon approval of the Board of Directors, who is not licensed in our state, but who is primarily engaged in teaching or research, or who holds a position in government service, and does not engage in clinical practice as evidenced by not having hospital staff privileges may apply for the Associate Membership this Society.

Associate membership may be awarded by the Board of Directors to any physician who is no longer in private practice, but resides in Washoe County.  Associate members shall have all the responsibilities and privileges of Active members, but may not vote or hold elected office.  Dues for Associate members shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Resident/Student – Physicians who are licensed or registered with the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and who are serving in training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education and who practice or reside in Washoe County are eligible for membership in this society.  Medical Students enrolled in a Nevada Medical School accredited by the Liaison Committee for medical education are also eligible for this membership status.  Physicians in Training/Residents shall not have the right to vote or hold elected office and their dues shall be established by the Board of Directors.

Filing of an Application

1.  Fill out the form completely.
2. Submit a 2” by 3” or larger photo (passport photos work just fine) for inclusion in the Washoe County Medical Society’s Annual Pictorial Directory.
3. Include in your references the name of one physician practicing in the Reno/Sparks area, and the names of two physicians from where you practiced previously.
4. File your application as soon as possible; this will afford you many membership benefits.
5. Membership applications are referred to the Board of Directors of WCMS for approval.
6. There is no filing fee!
7. Please send a check made payable to NSMA with your completed application for Washoe County Medical Society/Nevada State Medical Association unified dues.

Dues Structure

New (first time) “Active” members will receive a 50% dues discount during their first year of membership:

                        WCMS:                        $168.00 (first year only)

                        NSMA:                         $195.00 (first year only)

                        Total Unified Dues:   $363.00 (first year only)

“Active” members and physicians applying for “Active” reinstatement:

                        WCMS:                        $335.00 (per year)

                        NSMA:                         $390.00 (per year)

                        Total Unified Dues:   $725.00 (per year)

“Active-limited” membership: physicians working 20 hours a week or less:

                        WCMS:                        $168.00 (per year)

                        NSMA:                         $195.00 (per year)

                        Total Unified Dues:   $363.00 (per year)

“Affiliate” membership: must belong to Component Society and NSMA first,

                        Component Society   $ Annual Fee

                        NSMA:                         $ Annual Fee

                        Payable to WCMS:     $  50.00 (per year-made payable to WCMS)

“Physician’s Assistant” membership:

                        WCMS:                        $ 50.00 (per year)

                        NSMA:                         $ 25.00 (per year

                        Total Unified Dues:   $ 75.00 (per year)

“Associate” membership:

                        WCMS:                        $100.00 (per year-made payable to WCMS)

“Out of State” membership: Annual dues established by the Board of Directors,

                        WCMS:                        $100.00 (per year-made payable to WCMS)

“Resident/Student” membership:

                        WCMS:                        $ 20.00 (per year)

                        NSMA:                         $ 10.00 (per year)

                        Total Unified Dues:   $ 30.00 (per year)

Please make checks payable to NSMA and enclose with your completed application to Washoe County Medical Society, 3660 Baker Lane, #202, Reno, NV 89509.  Thank You.

ASK YOUR ACCOUNTANT – DUES ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!