AOA-Member Doctors of Optometry: Add Your Paraoptometric Staff to Your Membership – for FREE!
All paraoptometrics/optometric staff of American Optometric (AOA) member doctors may become AOA associate members and have access to all current paraoptometric member benefits and services at no charge to the staff member or the AOA member doctor.
This AOA-member benefit means free access to programs and services that offer education and staff training, significant discounts on education materials for purchase, discounts on registration fees for Optometry's Meeting ®, and information communicated through AOA email and publications.
This membership is available as part of the doctor of optometry's AOA membership benefits, at no cost to the paraoptometric and no added membership cost to the member doctor. Paraoptometrics gain access to these resources through their AOA-member doctor membership.
Enrolling paraoptometric staff as AOA associate members
AOA associate membership provides free access to programs and services that offer education and staff training, significant discounts on education materials for purchase through the AOA Marketplace, discounts on registration fees for Optometry's Meeting and access to information communicated through AOA publications.
Information needed to enroll
- Legal name of staff (as it appears on driver's license).
- Date of birth.
- Unique email address for each staff person (do not use a shared office email).
How to enroll
AOA member doctors
The AOA member doctor of optometry, or their designee, should:
- Visit the Manage Staff page in MyAOA (AOA doctor of optometry username and password required to log in).
- Login using a member doctor's username and password.
- Enter information for each staff person (non-doctor).
Note: Only one doctor per practice should enroll an individual staff person; multiple sponsorship requests for the same individual cannot be honored.
Paraoptometric staff
Paraoptometric staff members who work for AOA member doctors may request membership by filling out the form below.
Benefits Available to Paraoptometric Associate Members
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Volunteer opportunities
The Commission on Paraoptometric Certification is seeking doctors of optometry and certified paraoptometric staff who are interested in volunteering with various committees and workgroups. Learn new skills—and earn CE—by participating. Find more details on volunteering opportunities, complete the volunteer interest form or email CPC@aoa.org for more information.
September is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month
Paraoptometric Month is an opportunity to recognize paraoptometrics for the value they contribute to the success of an optometric practice. It is the only formal observance in the nation specifically intended to honor optometric practice staff. Recognition of paraoptometry as a profession hinges on the strength of paraoptometric members and support of doctors of optometry and other health care providers. Paraoptometric Month is observed annually during the month of September. Doctors are encouraged to be creative in planning their recognition of staff. Thank you for supporting and valuing your staff.
Paraoptometric Awards
Paraoptometric of the Year Award
The American Optometric Association Paraoptometric of the Year award recognizes a deserving individual paraoptometric who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of optometry, patients and the public.
Paraoptometric Community Service Award
The American Optometric Association Paraoptometric Community Service Award recognizes a deserving AOA paraoptometric individual who has generously donated his or her time and talents to the profession of optometry, patients and the public.
CPC Lifetime Achievement Award
As a way to honor retired certified paraoptometrics, the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification offers "The Lifetime Achievement award." This award recognizes those who are currently retired and who have served the profession of optometry by continually giving of themselves in areas of patient eye care, office management, mentoring colleagues and in service to the paraoptometric profession.
How to renew paraoptometric associate membership
After the initial enrollment, your paraoptometrics' membership will automatically renew each January that you remain an AOA member doctor.
Have questions? Need help?
Member Services
800.365.2219
Education Center
Phone: 800.365.2219
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The AOA has created a trove of practice management tools and services that can power practices forward in a profession and health care landscape that increasingly demands doctors practice at their highest levels and creates greater opportunities to develop and empower paraoptometric staff. These days, change is out of necessity.