For more information about membership criteria and pricing, please contact info@canorth.org or 514-874-9003 ext.1. To become a COA member, please complete the Membership Application form below.
Apply for Membership
The COA offers membership categories for surgeons during each level of their orthopaedic careers. Candidates should apply for the appropriate membership category based on the criteria and requirements for each.
Active Membership
Active members may vote and hold office in the Association.
Active membership dues for those applying during their first year of practice will be reduced by fifty percent (50%) of the full Active membership fees. Those who apply after their second year in practice will pay full dues.
Candidates for Active membership will have their applications and eligibility reviewed by the Membership Committee prior to being accepted as members of the COA.
An Active member must meet the following criteria:
- Completed training in an approved program in orthopaedic surgery.
- Obtained certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or equivalent qualification as accepted by the Association.
- Practices full-time orthopaedic surgery in Canada.
Active International Membership
Active International members may vote and hold office in the Association.
Active International membership dues for those applying during their first year of practice will be reduced by fifty percent (50%) of the full Active International membership fees. Those who apply after their second year in practice will pay full dues.
Candidates for Active International membership will have their applications and eligibility reviewed by the Membership Committee prior to being accepted as members of the COA.
An Active International member must meet the following criteria:
- completed an approved orthopaedic surgery training program;
- obtained certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; and
- practices full-time orthopaedic surgery outside of Canada.
Associate Membership
Associate members may not have voting rights, but may sit on certain committees as non-voting members where the Board of Directors judges their expertise useful.
Associate members are not required to pay annual membership dues.
Candidates for Associate membership will have their applications and candidacy reviewed by staff in the Membership Department prior to being accepted as members of the COA.
An Associate member must meet the following criteria:
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- Must be a current resident in an approved Canadian orthopaedic training program OR
- Must be a graduate fellow in orthopaedic training.
International Affiliate Membership
International Affiliate members shall have no voting rights.
Candidates for International Affiliate membership will have their applications and eligibility reviewed by the Membership Committee prior to being accepted as members of the COA. All International Affiliate member candidates must support their application forms with letters of recommendation from two Active members of the Association.
An International Affiliate member must meet the following criteria:
- are qualified orthopaedic consultants in their country and have fulfilled appropriate orthopaedic training and education standards;
- are non-residents of Canada and practice outside of Canada;
- do not hold an FRCSC in orthopaedics;
- have completed an approved orthopaedic surgery training program outside of Canada; and
- who have letters of recommendation from two Voting Members of the Association.
Research Affiliate Membership
Under very special circumstances, and upon recommendation by the Board, Research Affiliate members may be granted the privilege of holding office or an appointment in the Association, and shall be entitled to vote.
Candidates for Associate membership will have their applications and candidacy reviewed by staff in the Membership Department prior to being accepted as members of the COA.
A Research Affiliate member must meet the following criteria:
- Scientists involved in orthopaedic research; and
- Medical practitioners licensed to practice in Canada who have demonstrated commitment to orthopaedic surgery and who regularly act as surgical assistants during orthopaedic surgical procedures.
Senior Membership
Active members who are at least 65 years of age and are no longer in clinical or administrative practice may become senior members. In order to be transferred to senior membership status, an active member must notify the Secretary of the Association, in writing, of the date of their 65th birthday and the date of their retirement from clinical or administrative practice, at least 30 days prior thereto.
Inactive Membership
Under special circumstances such as illness, maternity leave, academic leave or volunteer work, Active members may request to be considered Inactive for the following Association fiscal year and pay a more nominal membership fee.
An Inactive member must renew his/her request annually.
In order to be considered Inactive, a member must notify the Secretary of the Association in writing.
COA Readmission Policy
The Policy for Member Readmission was developed to determine a process of readmitting a member after an expression of interest to reinstate membership within the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. This Policy comprises the necessary steps to readmit a member by adhering to COA By Laws number 7-2018, Article 3 “Entitlement to Membership”.
This Readmission Policy is pertinent if a member seeks readmission after previously withdrawing or lapsing from COA membership.
The following process shall be implemented when considering readmission of a member:
- If a member seeks readmission within two years of expulsion or withdrawal, the member is required to pay a readmission fee of $250, in addition the present year’s annual dues to the COA.
- If a member seeks readmission after two years of expulsion or withdrawal, the member is required to undergo a complete and formal reapplication and review process by the Membership Committee, as well as pay a readmission fee of $250, in addition to the present year’s annual dues to the COA.
- If a member has been readmitted once before, and seeks subsequent readmissions, the member is required to undergo a complete and formal reapplication and review process by the Membership Committee, as well as pay a readmission fee of $500, in addition to the present year’s and any previous outstanding annual dues to the COA. The member will also be required to forward a Letter of Recommendation from an Active member of the COA.
- If the member is under special circumstances and is incapable of paying dues, it is up to the member to make those circumstances known to COA Staff, to better inform the Membership Committee and Executive Committee prior to invoking this Policy. Management and definition of special circumstances are at the discretion of both Committees.
The above process pertains to the membership at large. If the individual happens to hold office within the COA, the CEO will then seek counsel from the Board of Directors. Members of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors that have a self-declared or evident conflict of interest with the individual in question will be removed from discussions or necessary votes.
Version: May 21, 2024 Approved by COA Board of Directors: June 12, 2024