APS Membership and Registration Terms and Conditions

By completing your APS membership purchase, renewal, or meeting registration, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

Account information

You are responsible for providing accurate, complete, and current information in your APS account, including contact information, education details, employment information, and any other information used to determine membership eligibility, benefits, or registration rates.

Payment methods

APS accepts credit cards, check payments, and mobile payments for membership purchases, renewals and event registrations. Payments may be submitted online through my.aps.org.

ACH payments and wire transfers are accepted only for transactions exceeding $150. Members should contact the APS Membership team via email for payment instructions before submitting an ACH payment or wire transfer.

APS does not accept purchase orders as a form of payment.

Fees and payment

All membership dues, registration fees, and other charges are payable in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified. Payment must be received and successfully processed before membership benefits or event registration are activated.

Members and registrants are responsible for ensuring that payment information is accurate and current. APS reserves the right to decline or cancel transactions that cannot be processed successfully.

Refunds and cancellations

Unless APS specifies otherwise, dues for membership are refundable only if requested within the initial 30 days of the membership term.

Meeting registration cancellations and refunds are subject to the cancellation and refund policy for the specific event. Registrants are responsible for reviewing the applicable event policy before completing registration.

Membership category eligibility

You are responsible for selecting the appropriate membership category and ensuring you meet any eligibility requirements associated with that category. APS reserves the right to verify eligibility and adjust membership categories or registration rates if inaccurate information is provided.

Students and other members receiving discounted rates should ensure that expected degree completion dates and other qualifying information are current prior to completing a purchase.

Student and early career professionals

Members are offered up to 15 years of discounted dues pricing: four years of Undergraduate Student eligibility (including Society of Physics Students membership), six years of Graduate Student eligibility, and five years of Early Career membership.

Members who do not pursue graduate degrees will follow a truncated progression including up to four years of Undergraduate Student eligibility followed by five years of Early Career eligibility. Members who join the workforce after their undergraduate degrees (and become Early Career members during that time) and later decide to continue their education can become eligible for Graduate Student membership upon submitting proof that they’ve enrolled in a graduate degree program. After their Graduate Student membership period is complete, they may use their remaining Early Career eligibility prior to moving to Regular membership.

Exceptions to policy

Students may request an exception to extend their student status when they have exceeded the eligibility requirements by sending a written request to APS Membership.

Regular membership

Available for all science professionals and any individuals that are interested in physics.

Senior/Retired membership

Retirees qualify for a reduced membership rate if they have been a member for at least 10 consecutive years and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• 70 years of age
• Retired from gainful employment (including Emeritus positions)
• Retired due to Permanent Disability

Contact the APS Membership team via email to request Senior/Retired status.

Lifetime memberships

Life and Senior Life memberships are available for a one-time fee and must be set up by APS membership staff. More information is available on our website at aps.org on our Membership webpages.

Global price accessibility eligibility

APS offers country-based pricing discounts to those with verified residency in countries that the World Bank has classified as lower-income, lower-middle-income, or upper-middle-income. Discounts will automatically be applied when selecting a membership plan. Eligibility is determined based on the primary country associated with a member's APS account and may be subject to verification.

Members are responsible for ensuring that their country of residence and contact information are accurate and current. APS reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria, request additional documentation, adjust pricing, or revoke discounts if eligibility requirements are not met.

Country-based pricing discounts are intended solely for eligible members and may not be transferred, shared, or applied retroactively to previous purchases unless otherwise approved by APS.

Duplicate accounts

Maintaining multiple APS accounts may result in inaccurate membership records, communication delivery issues, or duplicate charges. If you believe you have more than one APS account, you should contact the APS membership team via email for assistance before completing your transaction.

Automatic renewal (if enrolled)

Members who elect automatic renewal authorize APS to charge the payment method on file for future membership renewals at the applicable rate in effect at the time of renewal. Automatic renewal may be canceled at any time through the member's APS account or by contacting the APS Membership team via email prior to the renewal date.

APS policies

Members and registrants agree to comply with all applicable APS policies, including the APS Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy, and any event-specific policies that apply to participation in APS programs, meetings, and activities.

Communications

By creating an APS account, purchasing membership, or registering for an event, you consent to receive transactional and service-related communications necessary to administer your membership, registration, benefits, and participation in APS programs. Marketing communications may be managed according to your communication preferences and applicable laws.

Changes to membership benefits, programs, and fees

APS reserves the right to modify membership categories, benefits, programs, pricing, eligibility requirements, and policies at any time. Changes will not affect benefits or registrations already in effect unless required for administrative, legal, or operational purposes.