Skin of Color Society

We are delighted that you will join us in promoting awareness of and excellence within the area of special interest dermatology—skin of color. Your participation will lead to improved understanding of skin of color, and we will count on your support for ideas, involvement, and dedication to our common goal.

Read the descriptions and select a membership type below.

Please note that once you begin your application, you must complete it in full, including payment, at the end. There is no option to save your progress and return later; if you wish to complete the application, you will need to initiate a new registration/application from the beginning. 



If you have been given a special membership application code, please enter it here and push “Submit”



Currently accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year.

Any physician who resides in the United States or Canada and are board certified or eligible to be board certified by the American Board of Dermatology or its Canadian equivalent. Application requires proof of medical license and a full CV. Fellow members may identify themselves as a “Fellow of the Skin of Color Society.” Fellow members have full privileges to vote, be a candidate for elective office and serve on committees or task forces.

Dermatologists residing outside of the United States or Canada who have demonstrated knowledge and skill in the treatment of skin of color. International Fellows must have completed medical education at an institution certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Application requires a full CV, and either one letter of recommendation from a Fellow SOCS member or one letter from the leadership of the applicant’s home dermatology society. The applicant’s home society letter must attest to membership in good standing in the society and summarize the applicant’s qualifications for SOCS membership. Medical license verification required. International Fellows have full privileges to vote, be a candidate for elective office and serve on committees.

Physicians who reside in the United States or Canada who have demonstrated active interest in skin of color dermatology but are not board certified nor eligible to be board certified by the American Board of Dermatology or its Canadian equivalent; this category also includes scientists at the doctoral level conducting research on skin of color. Application requires proof of medical license (for physicians), full CV, two letters of recommendation from current SOCS members (one of which must be a SOCS Fellow Member). Evaluation criteria may include certification in applicant’s own specialty, clinical contributions to skin of color dermatology, contributions to skin of color education and research and participation in the national societies in the applicant’s chosen specialty. Associate members have privileges to vote and serve on committees but not to be elected to office.

Non-Physicians and people with no advanced degree who have demonstrated an active interest in skin of color dermatology including but not limited to PhDs., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, hospital or clinic administrators. Application requires full CV, letters from two physician sponsors (both of which must be from SOCS Fellow members). Affiliate members do not have privileges to vote nor be elected to office and may serve on selected committees.

Physicians who are currently accepted to or enrolled in accredited dermatology residency training programs in the United States or Canada and completed medical education training at an institution certified by the ECFMG. Application requirements include Letter of Good Standing on official letterhead from training program. Term of membership limited to three years or the length of the trainee's residency program. Residents do not have privileges to vote nor be elected to office and may serve on selected committees.

Individuals who are actively engaged in clinical research focused on skin of color and in good-standing at a SOCS Institutional Research Fellowship or an accredited institution in the United States or Canada. Application requires full CV, names of two physician sponsors (one of which must be a SOCS Fellow member). Research Trainees have privileges to vote and serve on committees but not to be elected to office.

Individuals enrolled in any medical school which is certified by the ECFMG. Application requires Letter of Good Standing on official letterhead from training program. Students do not have privileges to vote nor be elected to office and they may serve on selected committees.