Membership in the AACO

The American Association of Certified Orthoptists (AACO) is a close network of orthoptists and orthoptic students across North America, working together to promote both the profession and the individual member. A membership to the AACO comes with numerous benefits (See below). One does not have to be employed in the United States to be a member of the AACO. Membership is only available to orthoptists. 

AACO Member Types:

  • Active Member: for orthoptists with a valid, up to date AOC certification 
  • Associate Member: for orthoptists without a valid, up to date AOC certification and/or orthoptists certified in another country 
  • Life Membership: for retired orthoptists who were dues-paying members of the AACO for at least 20 years
  • Student Membership: for orthoptic students in AOC-accredited orthoptic programs
  • Honorary Membership: conferred upon by the membership and awarded to non-orthoptists in recognition of outstanding contribution to orthoptics.

To become an AACO member or to renew your membership with the AACO, click on the link below to access the membership form. 

 Join the AACO OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP HERE


Being a member of the AACO provides an Orthoptist with many benefits!

2023 AACO Member Benefits

Free or Discounted Continuing Education 
  • NEW! Free or discounted CE opportunities on the AACO Online Learning Center. More Information
  • NEW! Access to our CE Tracking tool to help manage your CE for recertification. More Information
  • Discounted registration at the regional and national meetings
  • AACO Self Assessment Exam
 
Free Access & Subscriptions to Professional Publications
  • Journal of Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility (BVOM): distributed annually & online access (dues must be paid by March 2)
  • American Orthoptic Journal (AOJ): archived issues
  • PRISM Newsletter: distributed bi-annually
  • Straight Scoop Bulletin: e-mailed bi-monthly
  • AACO Membership Directory
 
Free Access to Orthoptist Only Electronic Forums
  • New! AACO Members have access to an orthoptist only listerserv
  • Join a circles group and make connections with other orthoptists
 
Participation in the AACO
  • Vote at the national business meeting to help shape our organization’s future 
  • Hold office or be an elected representative
  • Serve on the AACO Executive Committee or Board of Directors.
  • Serve on AOC
  • Serve on committees
  • Volunteer for international projects with the IOA
  • Eligible for AACO honors and awards
 
Free Practice Management Resources
  • Billing for Orthoptic services: information and support 
  • Access to salary and benefit survey via Practice Management Committee
    • New! 2023 Salary Survey
 
Members Only section of the AACO Website
  • Employment opportunities
  • Brochure for your office: Selecting Children’s glasses
  • Straight Scoop and PRISM archives
  • Access to the AACO Bylaws and Policy Manual
  • Pre- and Post- Academy reports
  • Fundraising contact list for offices hosting a meeting
  • Application for the AACO Honor Certificate
 
Automatic Membership to the International Orthoptic Association (IOA)
  • Reduced registration to attend the IOA Congress
  • Reduced registration to attend Orthoptic meetings in IOA member countries
  • Access to the Members Only section of the IOA website:
  • Receive special offers from journal publishers
  • Access to the Orthoptic search facility containing titles and authors for international meetings (ESA, ISA, IOA) and articles in the British and Australian Orthoptic journals
  • Download transactions from the recent IOA Congress
  • Access to all IOA reports and minutes of the Annual General Meeting
  • Access to the IOA Phrasebook containing a collection of useful phrases when carrying out an orthoptic exam (translated into the languages of the IOA member countries and several other languages)
  • Access to the IOA Terminology document containing translations of over 500 orthoptic, ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology expressions (in English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish)
  • Access to Orthoptic job offers posted with the IOA
  • Access to the Orthoptic World Wide Survey (OWWS)
  • Access to the International Vision Screening Survey (IVSS)
  • Ability to participate in the IOA Exchange and Volunteer Programs
  • Ability to join important IOA committees
  • Ability to network with your international orthoptic colleagues
 
Member Benefits per Membership Category
  Active and Newly Certified Associate Student Lifetime
BVOM Print Edition  X  X  X  
BVOM Online Subscription X X X X
FREE CE X X X X
Reduced Registration Fees X X X X
CE Tracking Tool X      
FREE IOA Membership X      
SCOOP Subscription X X X X
PRISM Subscription X X X X
First Notice of New Job Openings X   X  
Subscription to Orthoptist Listserv X X X X
Name Listed in Public Directory X      
Name Listed in Member Directory X X X X

 Join the AACO or Renew Your Membership Here

 

AACO Delinquent Dues Policy
  • Dues are due January 1
  • Dues become delinquent on March 2
  • If you remit your payment on or after March 2, a late fee of $50 will be imposed and is payable

 

CONTACT
Bevin Bithel, CO®
Membership Chair
[email protected]
Last Updated on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 08:45 PM