Individuals may apply for Active membership in the WTSA, based on the following guidelines:

• Be a Diplomat of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery of the United States, a Fellow in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, or possess such educational credentials as judged equivalent by the Council.
  
  
• Reside within or have completed a cardiothoracic residency training program within the geographic limits of the Association, which are the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
  
  
• Have been engaged in the practice of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery either outside of or within the geographic limits of the Association for at least three years following completion of postgraduate training. If a candidate has completed his/her thoracic surgical residency in an institution within the geographic limits of the Association, such completion may count towards one of the three years of practice as noted above.
  
  
• Have demonstrated interest in advancing the practice of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery through continuing professional contributions and scientific publications.
  
  
• Have obtained the sponsorship of three Active or Senior members of the Association per the application.
  
  
• For Active Membership: (1) have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in his or her respective state or province, and (2) have a current appointment on the surgical staff of a hospital with no reportable action pending which could adversely affect such applicant's staff privileges at any hospital.
  
  
• For Active Membership, possess ethical and moral fitness, as well as professional proficiency, as determined, in part, on the basis of reports from members consulted as references, reports from other references, and other information.