The Association has honored foreign scholars since 1885, when the AHA awarded Leopold von Ranke with its first testimonial of honorary membership. See the list of past recipients.

According to the selection criteria, recipients of honorary memberships must be scholars working outside the United States who are distinguished for their work in the field of history.

The Committee on Honorary Foreign Members and Awards for Scholarly Distinction will serve as the jury and will recommend an individual for approval by the Council. The committee consists of the president, president-elect, and the immediate past president. The honoree will be announced at the Association's annual meeting.