Last month the BMA and NHS Employers published a 'heads of terms' document, which set out a possible formal renegotiation of the contract for doctors and dentists in training.
For the past six months, the BMA has been in "exploratory" talks with employers about a new contract for UK junior doctors and dentists, as it has concerns the current 13-year-old one is "no longer working".
At the end of 2012, the NHS Employers organisation proposed working towards a new contract, which ensures those in training feel "valued and engaged", and promotes care for patients and safety for trainees.
NHS Employers chief executive Dean Royles welcomed the BMA's decision, calling "it the right thing to do".
"Employers in the NHS believe that the current contract is no longer fit for purpose," said Royles.
"A new contract will support them to provide high quality patient care and effective medical training within a safe working environment.
He added: "Given the recent Francis and Keogh reports highlighting issues around weekend staffing, we now need to press on with pace and purpose to ensure high quality care is increased at weekends. It won't be easy but we are determined to put patient care at the heart of our negotiations."
The BMA has raised a number of areas for exploration in the negotiations including working hours, quality of life, and the fairness and stability of pay and training.
Last week, the medical director of the NHS, Sir Bruce Keogh, singled out junior doctors and student nurses for praise in his review of 14 under-performing hospitals. However, he warned that they were "not being valued or listened to" and were receiving "inadequate supervision and support".
NHS Employers is now waiting for the Department of Health to give the go-ahead to start negotiations. It hopes this decision will be made in Autumn.
