Member FAQs

SDPA Diplomate Fellowship™️ Access FAQs

SDPA has announced that all SDPA members can now purchase and complete the Diplomate Fellowship program and earn a Diplomate title by completing all program requirements.

Become a Diplomate

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Visit this page for more general frequently asked questions about the SDPA Diplomate Fellowship™️ program.

What has changed?

  • The Diplomate Fellowship program modules are available for purchase to all SDPA members, regardless of profession or SDPA membership category.
  • Members in the all categories may complete the program and earn the Diplomate title connected with their member type.

Why open this up to all members? Why are you expanding access?

  • SDPA is expanding access to its premier educational training course to ensure that all members can benefit from the best practices and skill-building offerings developed by DermPAs™ for DermPAs™. We are committed to supporting the entire practice team because we recognize that superior education translates into superior patient care.

I’m a Diplomate Fellow. How will this impact me?

  • The program's expansion will empower all DermPAs™ by educating others. Importantly, your certificate and status will remain unchanged, granting you exclusive rights to use the "Diplomate Fellow" title/designation. The benefits and discounts afforded to Diplomate Fellows will remain unchanged. In addition, the exclusive status of Fellow members, which includes voting rights and eligibility for service on the SDPA Board, will not be affected.

What are the Diplomate Fellowship policies?

  • All previous requirements, such as the 2-year time limit to complete all modules, remain in effect for Diplomate Fellows and the new Diplomate types. Read more about the policies here.

Once I complete the program, what would the title or designation be?

  • The respective title includes each SDPA member type accordingly: “Diplomate Associate, SDPA”, “Diplomate Affiliate, SDPA”, “Diplomate Student, SDPA” and “Diplomate Physician, SDPA”.
  • Note that as with Diplomate Fellows, an individual does not earn this designation until they have fully completed the program and met all requirements.

Will I be able to attend Diplomate events at SDPA conferences?

  • All Diplomates will be invited to attend the special VIP reception for Diplomates members at SDPA conferences.

Will I be able to access Diplomate discounts as a member?

  • Diplomate members in the Associate and Affiliate categories will enjoy similar Diplomate discounts that Fellows enjoy. The final total fee after discount may vary depending on member type.

Will I earn a certificate?

  • All Diplomates will have access to the online certificate upon completing the program.

If I change member types, will my Diplomate status carry over?

  • Diplomate Students who graduate and meet the requirements of Fellow or Associate membership will earn the Diplomate Fellow or Diplomate Associate status accordingly with no additional requirements.
  • Diplomate Associates who move to a position as a PA with a board-certified collaborating dermatologist will earn the Diplomate Fellow status with no additional requirements.
  • Please notify SDPA at membership@dermpa.org if you need to upgrade to one of these memberships.