There are three pathways that lead to PGA membership:
While the associate and university programs differ in significant ways, both pathways require completion of the same PGA PGM curriculum, work experience, PGA Playing Ability Test, and employment or internship requirements.
The courses cover content and activities every PGA Professional should know and be able to demonstrate when they enter the profession as a PGA member.
The Reciprocity test-out option is available for either current or former LPGA Class A Tour Player members or current LPGA Class A Teaching and Club Professional division members only.
The first few steps can be found below. For more information and questions feel free to contact the MAPGA’s Membership Director Kristine Alonso at (540) 784-4723 or call 1-800-4PGAPRO.
1. Complete a Background Check
2. Register and test out of an online pre-qualifying course
3. Satisfy the Playing Ability Test (PAT) requirement. The MAPGA PAT schedule is listed below.
4. Register into the PGA PGM associate program.
Once you are a registered Associate, you must attend an Associate Orientation if you desire to participate in Section tournaments. All Orientations are conducted at the MAPGA Section office and cost $25.00 to attend. You will take a 50 question rules test that will determine if you earn your playing privileges within the Section. Below are the Orientation dates for 2025. Please contact Kristine Alonso at the Section office to register (540) 784-4723 or kalonso@pgahq.com.
To register for a PAT please click here or call PGA National at 1-800-474-2776. Registration links for each site will be available soon.
The MAPGA does not take registration for PAT’s.
Tee times will be posted one week before the event.
| Date & Site | Fee | Phone Number & Registration |
| March 24th, 2025 PAT Dominion Valley CC Haymarket, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (703)-221-0123 Register |
| April 15th, 2025 PAT Great Hope GC Westover, MD | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (410)-651-5900 Register |
| April 28th, 2025 PAT Old Trail GC Crozet, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (434)-823-8101 Register |
| May 12th, 2025 PAT Pine Ridge GC Timonium, MD | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (410)-252-1408 Register |
| June 9th, 2025 PAT Williamsburg National GC Williamsburg, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (757)-258-9642 Register |
| June 16th, 2025 PAT The Dominion Club Glen Allen, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (804)-360-1200 Register |
| June 30th, 2025 PAT The Cannon Club Lothian, MD | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (410)-343-4700 Register |
| July 14th, 2025 PAT Richmond CC Henrico, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (804)-784-5663 Register Coming Soon |
| July 21st, 2025 PAT Sleepy Hole GC Suffolk, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (757)-538-4100 Register Coming Soon |
| August 11th, 2025 PAT University of Maryland GC College Park, MD | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (301) 314-4653 Register Coming Soon |
| September 8th, 2025 PAT Bull Run GC Haymarket, MD | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (703) 753-7777 Register Coming Soon |
| September 29th, 2025 PAT Pete Dye River Course Radford, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (540) 633-6733 Register Coming Soon |
| October 2nd, 2025 PAT Eaglewood GC Langley AFB, VA | Registration Fee: $120 Onsite Fee: $60 (includes greens fee, range, golf cart, and lunch) | Site Phone Number: (757) 764-4547 Register Coming Soon |