Who can join the AOA? What membership categories exist?
The American Optometric Association (AOA) represents doctors of optometry, optometry students, and others who support optometric care.
Most members are doctors of optometry who join through a state, territorial, or federal services association that is affiliated with AOA. Some people and organizations join AOA directly as “associate” members.
This FAQ explains both paths.
Do I need to join a state or affiliate association to join AOA?
If you practice optometry in the US, in almost all cases, yes.
If you are a doctor of optometry in the United States or its territories, you become an AOA member by joining:
- Your state or territorial optometric association, or
- The Armed Forces Optometric Society (AFOS) if you serve in the military or federal services.
When you join the affiliate, you are also joining AOA, and vice versa. There is not a “state only” membership for practicing ODs.
If you are not sure which affiliate you belong in, AOA Member Services can help you figure it out based on where you live, practice, or teach.
What kinds of AOA members join through affiliates?
These are called “affiliate membership classifications” in the bylaws. These include:
- Active members: Practicing ODs in regular, compensated practice.
- Partial practice members: ODs who work 16 hours a week or less in optometry-related activities.
- Federal service members: ODs serving in the armed forces, VA, Public Health Service, or other qualifying federal roles.
- Optometric educator members: Full-time faculty at accredited or pre-accredited schools and colleges of optometry in the U.S.
- Student members: Optometry students who are members of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and the appropriate affiliate.
- Post-graduate members: Residents, interns, or full-time graduate students in approved programs.
- Retired members: ODs who meet age and retirement criteria and are no longer compensated for optometry-related work.
- Life members, distinguished members, and honorary members: Long-tenured or specially recognized ODs, as defined in the bylaws.
All of these classifications are tied to a state or affiliate association. When you join or move between these categories, you do so through your affiliate, and AOA membership moves with you.
Who can join AOA directly as an associate member?
Some people - most non-Optometrists or those outside of the US - may join AOA directly, without going through a state association or affiliate.
These are “associate members.”Current associate member categories are:
International members
- Optometrists, as defined by the World Council of Optometry
- Live in another country or in a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession where there is no AOA-affiliated association
- Join AOA directly as International members
Paraoptometric members
- Paraoptometrics and optometric staff who are sponsored by an AOA-member optometrist
- Maintain that sponsorship to keep membership active
- Have access to AOA paraoptometric education, tools, and recognition programs
Public members
- Individuals who are not optometrists
- Have a strong interest in optometry and help advance the profession
- Are approved at AOA’s discretion under criteria in the bylaws
Research scientist members
- Individuals who are not optometrists
- Hold a PhD or are PhD students
- Are employed by an accredited or pre-accredited school or college of optometry
Associate members do not have the same voting rights as Active OD members, but they are recognized as part of the AOA community and have access to selected AOA resources.
What is provisional membership?
Provisional membership is a temporary classification for doctors of optometry who contact AOA to join before their state or other affiliate has processed their application.
- AOA can grant “Provisional” status once an application and dues are received.
- AOA then forwards the application to the appropriate affiliate.
- When the affiliate approves, the person moves into the correct doctor membership category and Provisional status ends.
Most members never notice this step; it simply ensures there is no gap while paperwork is finalized.
I am not sure where I fit. What should I do?
If you are not sure which membership category applies to you, contact AOA Member Services. We can:
- Confirm whether you should join through an affiliate or directly as an associate member
- Help you choose the right category based on your role
- Connect you to your state, federal, or student affiliate if needed
This FAQ is a summary. When there is any question, the AOA Constitution and Bylaws and current membership policies control.
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