How to Apply

  1. Determine which Membership Type you would like to apply for (see below for detailed description of each type) available membership types:
    • New Members:
      • Associate Membership
      • Full Membership
      • Student Membership
    • Existing Members:
      • Promotion to Associate
      • Promotion to Full
      • Retired Membership
      • Emeritus Membership
  2. Determine if you will need sponsors for your application:
    • Associate Membership – One Sponsor (Full SOFT Member)
    • Full Membership – Two Sponsors (Full SOFT Member)
    • Student Membership – One Sponsor (Full SOFT Member or Academic Advisor)
    • Promotion to Associate – One Sponsor (Full SOFT Member)
    • Promotion to Full – Two Sponsors (Full SOFT Member)
    • Retired Membership – No Sponsors
    • Emeritus Membership – No Sponsors
  1. Contact your sponsor(s) and ask them to complete your sponsorship form HERE
  2. Apply for membership:
  3. Complete your application fee on your application:
    • Associate Membership - $125 to apply, transferred to annual dues payment if approved for membership
    • Full Membership - $125 to apply, transferred to annual dues payment if approved for membership
    • Student Membership - $40 to apply, transferred to annual dues payment if approved for membership
    • Promotion to Associate – No Fee to Promote
    • Promotion to Full – No Fee to Promote
    • Retired Membership - No Fee
    • Emeritus Membership - No Fee

Accepted Payment Forms 

  • Debit/Credit Card – You can complete payment on the application with a debit/credit card.
  • Check – Please select "Invoice Me" as your payment choice on your application, a copy will be emailed to you. You may mail a check to the SOFT office below:

SOFT – Attn CC Watson
1955 W Baseline Rd.
Suite 113-442
Mesa, AZ 85202
Please include the applicant's name on memo

Your application will only be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. 

Types of Membership

Full Members

Full (also referred to as "Regular") members are those who fulfill the qualifications set forth below. They must pay dues and have full voting privileges. Full membership in SOFT shall be available to individuals who have demonstrated their ability to function as forensic toxicologists as recognized by SOFT and who are actively engaged in forensic toxicology at the time of application. Applicants for Full membership must have the following education degrees and experience in forensic toxicology:

Ph.D. and one year experience, M.S. and two years' experience, B.S. or B.A. and three years' experience

  • Fee: $125 to apply, transferred to annual dues payment if approved for membership
  • Sponsors needed: Two Full SOFT Members in good standing

Associate Members

Applicants who do not qualify for Full membership, but who demonstrate interest in forensic toxicology, are eligible for Associate membership. Associate members pay dues but do not have voting privileges and do not qualify for Emeritus status.

  • Fee: $125 to apply, transferred to annual dues payment if approved for membership
  • Sponsors needed: One Full SOFT Members in good standing

Student Members

Students pursuing degrees and careers in disciplines related to forensic toxicology may apply for membership as Student Affiliate members. Students who are seeking advanced degrees and actively engaged in forensic toxicology need to apply as Full or Associate Members. Student Members pay reduced dues and do not have voting privileges.

  • Fee: $40 to apply, transferred to annual dues payment if approved for membership
  • Sponsors needed: One Full SOFT Members in good standing or an academic advisor

Retired Members

Retired Members are Full Members or Charter Members who have maintained 10 years of membership in SOFT and who have reached the age of 65. Retired Members have voting privileges but do not pay dues. Retired members do not receive a subscription to JAT. A JAT subscription may be added to membership at a cost of $40 per year.

  • Fee: No Fee ($40 JAT subscription)
  • Sponsors needed: No Sponsors needed

Emeritus Members

Emeritus Members are Full Members or Charter Members who have maintained 25 years of membership in SOFT and who have reached the age of 65. Emeritus Members have voting privileges but do not pay dues. Emeritus members do not receive a subscription to JAT. A JAT subscription may be added to membership at a cost of $40 per year.

  • Fee: No Fee ($40 JAT subscription)
  • Sponsors needed: No Sponsors needed

Membership Promotion

Current members of SOFT can apply for promotion to another membership category at any point in the year. You can review the requirements for each category under Types of Membership. There is no fee to apply for promotion, but you are responsible for your annual dues payment for the year.

  • Fee: No Fee
  • Sponsors needed: Promotion to Full two sponsors, Promotion to Associate one Sponsor 

 

Application Process

Once an application is complete and all required items are received your application can be reviewed by the Membership Committee. The committee reviews applications in batches once a month. You will be notified by email once your application has been reviewed.
Membership Committee Members
Chris Heartsill, Chair
Heidi Christensen
Kathrine Dozier
Sarah Martin