Membership Categories

Voting members - Full membership

Any legally qualified medical practitioner residing within the Republic of South Africa at the time of application for Membership who is registered under Section 17 of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974, or any later succeeding enactment thereof, is entitled to qualify for full membership in SAMA.

These members have a voting rights and are entitled to all SAMA service offerings and benefits subject to applicable qualifying waiting periods.

Does not have outstanding membership fees and are perceived as SAMA members in good standing.

The following full membership categories exist:

1. Medical Interns

   Medical Interns registered in terms of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974, with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

2. Community Service Medical Practitioners

   Community service practitioners registered in terms of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974, with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

3. Medical Practitioners in full time practice

   Members who are employed or in private practice, who are registered as such with the HPCSA and in full time practice.

4. Medical Practitioners in Part time practice

   Members who are not in full time practice. This category includes locums and the holder of an appointment which is of a temporary and supernumerary nature as part of a contract and only practices on a part time basis. Documented proof or motivation may be required to qualify for category rates.

5. Other Medical Practitioners

   Who are not in medical practice but who are still registered with the HPCSA. Registration proof and or documented evidence may be required.

6. Medical Registrars

   By virtue of their registration in terms of Regulation 2(4) of Government Notice R1203 of 28 November 2000 promulgated in terms of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No 56 of 1974) who engage in postgraduate study in medicine in South Africa as the holder of an appointment which is of a temporary and supernumerary nature as part of a contract with a University or institution as indicated on a registration certificate. Proof of registration to be provided to qualify for Registrar member rates.

7. Spouses of members

   A spouse of a Member¹ , who in their own right qualifies for SAMA membership, is entitled to apply to SAMA, via the approved process from time to time, for Spouse of Member rates.

   Spouse of Members will not be entitled to receive the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ).

   Spouse of Members that participate in CPD programmes or events must use their own personal Medical Practitioner reference number and not the reference number of the main member.

8. Retired members

   Members who are 65 years of age or older, or have taken early retirement, are entitled to apply to SAMA, via the approved process from time to time, for retired member rates.

9. Life-time membership

   Life-time membership of SAMA is automatically afforded to Members who have been Members of SAMA for an uninterrupted period of 40 years or longer. Life-time Members no longer pay membership fees but are required to pay a reduced rate if they wish to continue receiving the SAMJ.

Non-voting members

1. Student membership

   Any medical student at the time of application for Membership who is registered in terms of the Regulations relating to the Registration of Students, Undergraduate Curricula and Professional Examinations in Medicine, in terms of Section 61(1) of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974, or any later succeeding enactment thereof, shall qualify for Student Membership.

   Student members are afforded free membership in SAMA from their first year of study, until final year of study.

   SAMA student members will have access to all SAMA service offerings and benefits, but will only have access to the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) in electronic format.

2. Expatriate member

   Any legally qualified medical practitioner residing outside the Republic of South Africa and who is registered with an appropriate regulatory body in South Africa or registered with an equivalent recognised body outside the Republic of South Africa, at the time of application for Membership, shall qualify for Expatriate Membership.

   Expatriate members pay membership fees equal to those of full members per the category for which they qualify and have access to all SAMA service offerings and benefits, but will only have access to the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) in electronic format.

3. Honorary member

   Any individual who has been received the title Honorary member, via the approved process from time to time, does not pay membership fees but is entitled to all SAMA service offerings and benefits.

¹ As recognised as a Spouse per one of the three types of marriages that are recognised under South African law: civil marriages, customary marriages and civil unions. Documented proof such as a marriage certificate or confirmation letter and affidavit may be required.