Your membership. Your community. A stronger voice for pain.
The British Pain Society (BPS) brings together healthcare professionals, researchers and people with an interest in pain to share knowledge, develop expertise and help improve care for people living with pain.
BPS membership connects you with a multidisciplinary community, offering opportunities to develop your knowledge, collaborate with colleagues and contribute to improvements in pain research, education and care.
Our membership year runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.
Already a member?
Join BPS and IASP for £25 extra
Connect with the international pain community.
BPS has partnered with the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) to offer eligible UK-based BPS members the opportunity to add IASP membership for just £25 per year.
IASP brings together a global multidisciplinary community dedicated to advancing pain research, education and treatment. Adding IASP membership gives you the opportunity to extend your professional connections and engage with the international pain community alongside your BPS membership.
With IASP membership, you can:
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Connect with a global multidisciplinary network of pain professionals and researchers.
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Access international education, learning and professional development opportunities.
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Engage with IASP Special Interest Groups and global initiatives.
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Explore opportunities relating to journals, grants, awards and selected event discounts, subject to IASP membership terms.
The additional £25 fee is optional and separate from your BPS subscription. Eligible UK-based BPS members can choose to add IASP membership when joining or renewing, subject to the relevant application requirements.
Apply or renew to add the IASP membership
BPS membership fees 2026–27
Our annual subscription fees depend on your membership category and, for standard membership, your total taxable income.
Payment of the subscription fee must be made online during the application process. However, it assists the Society greatly if, in subsequent years, you are able pay by Direct Debit.
If you wish to set up a Direct Debit to be ready to process subscription fees, please click here to download a form and send it to [email protected]
| Membership category | Eligibility or taxable income | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard membership – Band A | Taxable income over £100,000 | £300 |
| Standard membership – Band B | Taxable income £75,000–£99,999 | £250 |
| Standard membership – Band C | Taxable income £55,000–£74,999 | £200 |
| Standard membership – Band D | Taxable income £35,000–£54,999 | £150 |
| Standard membership – Band E | Taxable income below £35,000 | £100 |
| International membership | Eligible members resident outside Great Britain and Northern Ireland | £150 |
| Student and Early Career membership | Eligible students and early-career professionals | £25 |
| Retired from Practice membership | Eligible members permanently retired from active practice, teaching and research | £25 |
Taxable income brackets apply to your entire taxable income, not just pain-related work.
Membership period: 1 November 2026–31 October 2027.
Please check the eligibility requirements below before applying. If you are unsure which category applies to you, contact the Secretariat [email protected].
Which membership category is right for you?
The British Pain Society has several membership categories to accommodate people and organisations with different relationships to the Society's objectives.
Ordinary Members – standard membership
Ordinary Membership is open to scientists, medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals, whether in training or fully qualified, who are interested in the objectives of the Society.
Annual fees are based on the applicable taxable-income band, unless another eligible fee category applies.
Student and Early Career membership – £25
This category is designed to make BPS membership more accessible to eligible students and professionals in the first five years of their career in the field of pain management. Members can access core membership benefits, including professional publications, educational opportunities and Special Interest Groups.
| Early Career Type | Qualification | Proof – requested to upload a copy |
|---|---|---|
| Student | All pre-professional qualification years (may vary within HCP professions and mode of study) | We would request evidence of HEI course commencement with provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – Researcher | 3 years post Doctoral | PhD Award, provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – Nursing | First 5 years post-professional qualification | Professional Qualification award, provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – Physiotherapy | First 5 years post-professional qualification | Professional Qualification award, provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – Pharmacy | First 5 years post-professional qualification | Professional Qualification award, provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – Psychology | First 5 years post-professional qualification | Professional Qualification award, provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – HCPC regulated clinical workers | First 5 years post-professional qualification | Professional Qualification award, provider institution and date clearly visible |
| Early Career Year – General Practice Medical staff | 5 years post qualification – FY1 and 2 plus 3 years GP Specialty Training | Medical Degree Award provider institution and date clearly visible, plus GP Specialty Training commencement |
| Early Career Year – hospital Doctor | 9 years post qualification to reflect FY1 and 2, plus 7 years specialty training | Medical Degree with provider institution and date clearly visible and Specialty Training Commencement |
Applicants must provide the required evidence of eligibility. Learn more about student and early career membership.
Retired from Practice membership – £25
This category is open to Ordinary Members who have permanently retired from all forms of active clinical practice, teaching and research and wish to maintain their connection with the Society.
If you meet these criteria and wish to change your existing membership status, please contact the membership team.
Partially retired? If you continue to undertake any clinical practice, teaching or research, you are not eligible for Retired from Practice membership under the Society's current criteria. You should instead transfer to the appropriate standard membership band. Please contact us for assistance.
International membership – £150
International Membership is open to eligible members resident outside Great Britain and Northern Ireland who are interested in the objectives of the Society.
International Members can engage with the Society's multidisciplinary community and access membership benefits in accordance with the applicable terms.
International Members are not entitled to vote at General Meetings of the Society.
Associate Members
Associate Membership is for individuals who have an interest in the objectives of the Society but are not eligible for Ordinary Membership.
Associate Members are not entitled to vote at General Meetings of the Society or to vote or stand in elections for the Society's Council or Executive positions.
Please contact the membership team to discuss eligibility and the applicable subscription arrangements.
Contributing Members
Contributing Membership is intended for organisations, including charitable and business organisations, that are interested in furthering the objectives of the Society.
Contributing Members are not entitled to vote at General Meetings of the Society or to vote or stand in elections for the Society's Council or Executive positions.
Please contact the membership team to discuss organisational membership.
Honorary Members
Honorary Membership is awarded by the Society's Council to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to advancing the objectives of the Society.
Honorary Members are eligible for the £25 IASP membership offer for UK-based BPS members, subject to the relevant IASP application requirements.
More than a membership
Your BPS membership connects you with a multidisciplinary community and provides opportunities to:
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Develop your knowledge through professional publications, education and events.
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Connect and collaborate through our Special Interest Groups.
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Explore opportunities through grants, awards and bursaries.
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Contribute to progress in pain research, education and care.
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Engage with the wider pain community through our relationship with the European Pain Federation (EFIC).
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Extend your international connections by adding IASP membership for £25, if eligible.
Special Interest Groups
The British Pain Society supports multidisciplinary collaboration through its Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These groups bring together members who share an interest in a particular area of pain research, clinical practice or care.
SIGs provide opportunities to exchange knowledge, discuss developments and collaborate with colleagues.
Explore our Special Interest Groups
How to apply for BPS membership
Applications are completed online and must include the required supporting information.
Depending on your membership category, this may include:
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A brief CV.
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Details of two referees.
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Evidence of eligibility for Student and Early Career membership.
Applications are normally processed within approximately two weeks.
Payment of the annual subscription is made online during the application process. We encourage members to consider Direct Debit for subsequent annual subscriptions, as this helps reduce administration costs.
Already a member?
For assistance with your application, contact [email protected].
Tax relief on professional subscriptions
You may be eligible to claim tax relief on your BPS membership subscription if you meet the relevant HMRC requirements.
What you may be able to claim
Tax relief may be available on eligible annual subscriptions to approved professional bodies relevant to your employment. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the applicable tax rules.
To Be Eligible You Must:
- Be based in the UK
- Be employed in the study of pain or a directly related role
- You must personally pay your member subscription
What You Can Claim: Annual subscriptions approved professional bodies relevant to your role.
What You Cannot Claim:
- Life memberships
- Fees paid by your employer
- Subscriptions to non-HMRC-approved organizations
This is in accordance with Section 344 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.
Please check the current HMRC guidance to establish whether you qualify. Tax relief is not automatic and depends on your individual circumstances.
Read HMRC guidance on tax reflief
Questions about membership?
If you have questions about membership categories, eligibility, fees or your application, please contact:
BPS Secretariat
[email protected]
Together, we will do more for pain.