Why I Joined

Kiran Sinha

Amer Sheikh

Membership of BMAS


Why join?

Acupuncture is particularly relevant to many of the chronic diseases, which form a large part of the workload of health professionals. Acupuncture treatment is popular with patients and can reduce reliance on medication. The BMAS promotes the use of acupuncture as a therapy following orthodox medical diagnosis by suitably trained practitioners.

The BMAS Foundation Course includes one year's membership of the Society.

See the eligibilty criteria and application form below, or contact the BMAS Head Office for more details:
Tel: 01606 786782
Email: admin@thebmas.com
 

Qualifications for BMAS Membership

Membership of the BMAS is open to most UK-based health professionals who are subject to statutory regulation. This includes doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, health visitors, osteopaths, chiropractors, and podiatrists. It is also open to health professionals who are subject to voluntary regulation which is overseen by the Professional Standards Authority, and have completed the BMAS Foundation Course (see eligibility criteria for the course); and to members of the British Acupuncture Council. Health professionals from overseas may also apply for BMAS membership and will need to provide details of the regulatory body in the country in which they practice.

UK-based veterinary surgeons are also welcomed as members, although the BMAS has a close working relationship with the ABVA (Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturist) www.abva.co.uk

Overseas membership can be arranged for health professionals who are subject to statutory regulation in the country in which they practise.

There are special membership arrangements for retired members and medical students - see below.

For more information about organisational affiliation to BMAS click here.
 

Benefits of BMAS Membership

  • The opportunity to belong to a fully multidisciplinary medical acupuncture society which accepts only regulated health professionals as Members.
  • On line access to the journal Acupuncture in Medicine (published by SAGE). Paper copies available through Sage Publications.
  • A regular e-newsletter - The Sharp End.
  • Access to Points Resource. A series of on line video demonstrations of examination and needling techniques.
  • Reduced registration fees at the yearly Scientific Meetings and other BMAS meetings.
  • Free access to the London Teaching clinic to observe patients being treated.
  • Reduced rate insurance scheme.
  • Access to a web based interactive Forum.
  • The opportunity through political lobbying to influence the future of medical acupuncture.
  • The opportunity to be listed as a member on the BMAS website (subject to 6 hrs annual CPD).
  • Recognition of Accredited Members by a growing number of patient insurance companies.
  • Help and advice from the Society's Council and Committees.
     

Categories of BMAS membership

(All rates shown are effective from 1 January 2017)

HONORARY: membership is granted by the Society to eminent practitioners.

MEMBER: Regulated healthcare professionals with an interest in acupuncture can apply to become a Member. Married couples, or those in long term relationships, who are both members of BMAS and resident at the same address, may pay a reduced fee of £139 for two members. The annual member subscription fee is £120.00. Payment in monthly direct debit instalments is available by contacting the office.

ACCREDITED: Members who have achieved full BMAS Accreditation and have maintained their status by reaccreditation every five years. Reaccreditation requires 30 hours of learning spread over 5 years (a min of 5 hours in any one year) following the award of a Diploma of Medical Acupuncture.  The annual subscription fee is £120.00. Payment in monthly direct debit instalments is available by contacting the office.

OVERSEAS: Membership is open to overseas healthcare professionals who are fully registered (i.e. subject to statutory regulation) in the country in which they practise outside the United Kingdom (please provide a copy of your registration). The annual subscription fee is £82.00.

DENTAL / VETERINARY: Membership is for those practitioners who are fully registered with either the General Dental Council of Great Britain, or the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (please provide a copy of your registration certificate). The annual subscription fee is £82.00.

RETIRED: Membership is intended for those at the end of their career.  It is offered to healthcare professionals who have retired from all active clinical practice, including acupuncture (continued registration with a healthcare regulator is not required). The annual subscription fee is £30.00.

STUDENT: Student membership is open to UK & Ireland students of professions eligible for full membership. The annual student subscription fee is £30.00. Please note that Foundation Course training is open to UK & Ireland medical students in their 4th or 5th year, and to final-year UK & Ireland students of other professions eligible for full membership.

SALARY LINK: Any UK member whose TOTAL gross income is not expected to exceed £38,000 can claim the reduced 'Salary Link' rate of 60% of the FULL membership fee, which will be £72. Proof of earnings must be submitted with this declaration in the form of a Tax Return. A separate claim must be made each year. You cannot apply for or renew this membership online - please contact the office for further information.

Download MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Download SALARY LINK DECLARATION FORM


CLICK HERE TO JOIN BMAS ONLINE NOW

 

Are there any other options?

As part of its mission to promote acupuncture within healthcare the British Medical Acupuncture Society has chosen to make some of its resources available to acupuncture practitioners who are already members of another national acupuncture organisation or in a full time academic post, and who are not eligible to be members of the BMAS. Find out more about becoming an Academic Associate here.

For those who would like to support BMAS but are not eligible for membership the Society is developing BMAS Friends, a group which is actively supporting the work of the BMAS by offering expertise and experience from outside the healthcare profession to benefit the acupuncture patients and practitioners aike.  If you would like to get involved with BMAS Friends please contact us using the online form here.