"Excellence, not mere competence, is the hallmark of an APA Distinguished Fellow."
Congratulations on taking the next step in your psychiatric career and being nominated for Distinguished Fellowship of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following areas: administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance, community involvement, as well as for clinical excellence.
Distinguished Fellow is the highest membership honor the APA bestows upon members, and in addition:
- You are recognized by your colleagues in the Association as a member of a very select group.
- You demonstrate your dedication to the work of the APA and signifies your allegiance to the psychiatric profession.
- All newly appointed Distinguished Fellows are publicly recognized at the Convocation of Distinguished Fellows, which is held every year during APA’s Annual Meeting.
- You receive a lapel pin and medallion in recognition of your status.
- You may proudly use this honorary title throughout your continued membership with the APA.
To create your application and for further resources, please login with your APA credentials, click "My Applications" from the dashboard, followed by selecting "Distinguished Fellowship of the American Psychiatric Association (DFAPA)" from Your Application Options.
Distinguished Fellowship nominations must be submitted by the deadline of July 1
Key dates for the DFAPA nomination, approval and recognition process
| Early February | District branches receive a list of its DFAPA eligible members who have been APA General Members or Fellows for a combination of at least eight years and have held board certification. APA recommends a thorough review of this list to ensure accuracy and to identify potential ideal candidates. |
| February 15-June 30 | Open period of the DFAPA/IDFAPA application cycle. District branches conduct local outreach campaigns to encourage eligible members to apply. |
| July 1 | Application submission deadline. All submissions must be through the online application. |
| July-October | The APA Membership Committee scores each application and makes recommendations to the APA Board of Trustees. |
| December | The APA Board of Trustees votes on the Membership Committee’s recommendations. |
| December-January | District Branches and nominees are notified of approval/deferral status for Distinguished Fellowship. |
| January | Members’ status officially updates on APA membership rolls. |
| May | The Convocation of Distinguished Fellows occurs at the APA Annual Meeting. Distinguished Fellows are recognized and receive a Distinguished Fellow pin and medallion. |
Process
1. Login
Click the "User Login" button and enter your username and password. Your username is the primary email address associated with your active APA account. District Branches can use their DB/SA login credentials.
2. Create
Create your online application by clicking on the "Dashboard" and select the "Distinguished Fellowship of the APA (DFAPA)" application on the drop down box.
3. Save
During the DFAPA application cycle, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
4. Submit
On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Application closing, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact your district branch or membership@psych.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the DFAPA application cycle.
What are the requirements for becoming an APA Distinguished Fellow (DFAPA)?
To be eligible for Distinguished Fellow (DFAPA) status, you must have at least eight years of General Membership, hold board certification at any time, and be nominated by your local District Branch.
Additionally, you must submit three letters of support from current Distinguished Fellows or Distinguished Life Fellows and demonstrate significant contributions in at least five of the ten categories outlined in the Involvement & Activities section of the application:
- Initial Certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American Osteopathic Association or equivalent certifying board, including other national or regional certifying bodies for members outside the United States or Canada.
- Involvement in the work of the district branch, chapter, and state association activities
- Involvement in other components and activities of APA
- Involvement in other medical and professional activities
- Participation in non-compensated mental health activities
- Participation in non-compensated and non-medical community activities
- Clinical contributions
- Administrative contributions
- Teaching contributions
- Scientific publications
The application cycle runs annually from February 15 to July 1. After the deadline, your District Branch has 15 days to provide comments and a recommendation. Your application will then be reviewed by the Membership Committee and voted on by the Board of Trustees in late December.
What are the requirements for becoming an APA International Distinguished Fellow (IDFAPA)?
To be eligible for International Distinguished Fellow (IDFAPA) status, you must be nominated by an active International Distinguished Fellow, Distinguished Fellow, or Distinguished Life Fellow, which also serves as your first letter of support. The second letter must come from an active APA member. A third optional letter may come from a medical colleague familiar with your work.
Furthermore, you must demonstrate significant contributions in at least five of the following Involvement & Activities categories outlined on the application (District Branch & APA Activites/Components are excluded and can be marked as n/a if not applicable):
- Board Certification, i.e., the equivalent of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has been held at any time
- Involvement in other medical and professional activities
- Participation in non-compensated mental health activities
- Participation in non-compensated and non-medical community activities
- Clinical contributions
- Administrative contributions
- Teaching contributions
- Scientific publications
The application cycle runs annually from February 15 to July 1. Your application will then be reviewed by the Membership Committee and voted on by the Board of Trustees in late December.
Please note, individuals from countries subject to comprehensive U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions (including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea Region of Ukraine) are eligible to receive information and informational materials only, as allowed under OFAC exemptions, and are ineligible to apply for honorary designations.
I'm not currently eligible for DFAPA. Can I apply for APA Fellow (FAPA/IFAPA) instead?
Yes! To be eligible for Fellow of the APA (FAPA) or International Fellow of the APA (IFAPA) status, you must have either at least three years of General Membership, held board certification at any time, or served in a psychiatric leadership role within a national, district branch, or international psychiatric association for more than five years.
The application cycle runs annually from February 15 to September 1. After the deadline, your application will be reviewed by the Membership Committee and voted on by the Board of Trustees in late December.
How do I maintain my Distinguished Fellow (DFAPA/IDFAPA) status?
To maintain your honorary designation, your membership must remain active. If your membership lapses, your designation will be suspended. Once you reinstate your membership, your designation will be automatically restored—no additional steps required.
Can I submit a CV or resume instead of completing the application, or send my application by email?
No. CVs or resumes are not accepted in place of the application. Applications must be completed and submitted through the online application for consideration. Please refer to the "How to Apply" tab that details the steps on how to create and submit your application.
Do the eight years of membership need to be consecutive?
Effective January 1, 2023, no. The required eight years of General Membership do not need to be consecutive. Please note that Medical Student and Resident-Fellow membership years do not count toward the minimum requirement.
What's the difference between DFAPA and FAPA?
Those applying to become a Fellow of the APA are self-nominated. Distinguished Fellows are nominated by their district branches before being recommended for approval by the APA Membership Committee and voted upon by the Board of Trustees. Candidates for this category must meet more comprehensive criteria, including significant achievement in several areas of psychiatry, and must obtain letters of recommendation.
Contact Us
or
American Psychiatric Association - Membership Department
800 Maine Avenue SW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (+1) 202-559-3900
Email: membership@psych.org