AOA Center for Independent Practice

Welcome Home, Independent Doctors

The AOA has long been the voice of independent doctors and we want to help you succeed. Independent practice is thriving—whether you are practicing independently, want to learn more about it or want to find opportunities, the Center for Independent Practice (CIP) is your home.

This is your one-stop hub for resources to help advance your professional skills. Revisit often to find more information and tools to help you grow as the AOA fights for broader scope, recognition and opportunities for doctors of optometry.

Partners

The AOA thanks the Illinois College of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry,  Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry,  The Ohio State University College of Optometry,  University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry, and  Western University College of Optometry for their visionary partnership and leadership in the CIP and independent practice of contemporary optometry.

More About CIP

Independent Practice Programs

New for 2025! Independent Practice Institute

The AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute is a 10-month member benefit program designed to engage and equip the upcoming generation of doctors with the business basics of running an independent practice.  Through a combination of virtual and in-person training, focus groups, and networking opportunities, IPI participants will obtain the skillset and confidence necessary to start or step in to an independent practice leadership role.

Developed by the AOA Center for Independent Practice, the AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute is open to active AOA member students and doctors of optometry, particularly those who are early in their careers.

Learn more about the inaugural class of the IPI:  "AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute equips new doctors for independent practice"

Click on the button/link below to "CIP Programs" to access more details about the IPI program.

CIP PROGRAMS

Independent Practice Resources

Doctors of optometry who formed practices or other businesses in the United States are no longer required to file Beneficial Ownership Information to the US government. Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in 2021 to crack down on shell companies used for money laundering, trafficking, terrorism or other illegal activity. Although optometry practices are not involved in such activities, many optometry practices would have been required to report information about their ownership to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under regulations that took effect in 2024, though deadlines were pushed back by court orders and agency delays, and were never enforced. On March 21, 2025 the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the federal agency overseeing the rule, issued new regulations exempting all domestic US companies from reporting. https://fincen.gov/boi

Application Period Opens for 2026 Golden Opportunity Award, $50,000 to Support Emerging Optometrists

Applications are open from October 17, 2025, through January 15, 2026 for the third annual Golden Opportunity Award, an initiative honoring the legacy of Dr. David Golden by providing substantial support to emerging doctors of optometry.

MORE CIP RESOURCES

Practice Continuation Program

The AOA Center for Independent Practice has created this Practice Continuity Program to assist AOA members whose successful practices might not stay open if the doctor retires. The goal is to find a suitable doctor to lead the practice who will maintain access to eye health and visual welfare and AOA membership in the community, with the assistance of expert consultants.

Practice Continuity Program

MORE AOA INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCES