Membership in the Forensic Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Section

Academy Requirements

Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that would support a forensic science career.

Section Requirements

NOTE: Please contact the AAFS office for requirements for applicants outside the U.S. (membship@aafs.org)

AAFS Basic Requirements for Student Affiliate must be fulfilled.

Academy Requirements

1. Completed the educational requirements, but not the experience requirements for Associate Member
2. Must be actively working toward completion of the experience requirements through training program/employment that supports a forensic science career 

Section Requirements

NOTE: Please contact the AAFS office for requirements for applicants outside the U.S. (membship@aafs.org)

AAFS Basic Requirements for Trainee Affiliate must be fulfilled.

Academy Requirements

1. Actively engaged in the field of forensic sciences and has made a significant contribution to the cause of advancing forensic science
2. Earned a baccalaureate or higher academic degree from a U.S. college/university accredited by one of the regional accrediting bodies
3. Has earned a baccalaureate or higher academic degree from a non-U.S. college or university bearing equivalent accreditation

Section Requirements

1. AAFS Basic Requirements for Associate Member must be fulfilled.
2. Psychiatrists must hold an MD or DO degree, and have completed an ACGME- approved residency in psychiatry, and must devote the majority of their medical practice in the specialty of psychiatry.
3. Clinical Psychologists must meet the following requirements:
   1. PhD or PsyD degree in clinical, neuro-, forensic, counseling, or school psychology from a program approved by the American Psychological Association, and completion of an internship approved by the American Psychological Association; or
   2. PhD or PsyD degree in clinical, neuro-, forensic, counseling, or school psychology from a program approved by one (1) of the six (6) regional accrediting institutions of U.S. Department of Education, and licensure to practice psychology in one state, and successful passing of the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP).
4. Research Psychologists must have a PhD in any other area of psychology not covered above, approved by one (1) of the six (6) regional accrediting institutions of the U.S. Department of Education, and have substantial evidence of multiple publications in the peer-reviewed literature of direct relevance to forensic behavioral science.

Academy Requirements

1. Attendance at the annual conferences and participation in the program
2. Performs outstanding service in the execution of his/her regular responsibilities
3. Contributions made to the AAFS or latest advancement as service to forensic science research
4. Service in the area of forensic science education or training acquired throughout his/her career

Section Requirements

While serving as an Associate Member, the applicant must:

1. Fulfill the AAFS Basic Requirements for Promotion; and
2. Register and attend a minimum of one (1) annual meeting of the AAFS. The meeting at which the title of Associate Member was conferred, if attended, may be counted; however, the meeting at which the title of Member is being considered shall not be counted.

NOTE: Please contact the AAFS office for requirements for applicants outside the U.S.

References not required.

Academy Requirements 

1. Attendance at the annual conferences and participation in the program
2. Performs outstanding service in the execution of his/her regular responsibilities
3. Contributions made to the AAFS or latest advancement as service to forensic science research
4. Service in the area of forensic science education or training acquired throughout his/her career

Section Requirements

While serving as a Member, the applicant must:

1. Fulfill the AAFS Basic Requirements for Promotion; and
2. Be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology in general and forensic psychiatry (or equivalents for international members), or be a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology/American Board of Forensic Psychology and Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (or equivalents for international members), or for research psychologists (admitted under Associate Member, C.4) who have attained the rank of Fellow of the American Psychology – Law Society (Div. 41 of the American Psychological Association); and
3. Register and attend a minimum of two (2) annual meetings of the AAFS. The meeting at which the title of Member was conferred, if attended, may be counted; however, the meeting at which the title of Fellow is being considered shall not be counted; and
4. Have served three (3) years as a Member or one (1) year in the event of participation in a joint session of the AAFS or scientific presentation in a section other than the Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Section; and
5. Demonstrate active participation in the Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Section. Participation may include the presentation of a scientific paper or serving as a moderator at an AAFS annual meeting, publication in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, or active participation on a working committee within the Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Section.

References not required.