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BE ONE, GET ONE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The FOA has initiated the Be One, Get One Membership Drive to increase the FOA membership statewide and reward new member recruiters. Each member recruiter’s name goes into a drawing. Six drawings will be held at the FOA Annual Convention in July. There is one (1) Grand Prize A drawing for a $600 FOA dues credit and five (5) Grand Prize B drawings each for a $200 FOA dues credit. Member recruiters are only eligible to win one credit but may have as many entries as desired. For additional details, download the BOGO rules and entry form.

Welcome to the Florida Optometric Association!

As soon as FOA receives notice that you have received a license, you will immediately be granted free membership in FOA, AOA, SCO and a local society for the remainder of that calendar year. In order to continue that membership into the next calendar year, you’ll need to return the Data Form enclosed with the initial mailing you’ll receive or complete a membership application.

Benefits of Membership

Full Details >>

Advocacy
Education
Free Legal Counsel
Coding Books and Forms
Networking & Collegiality
Professional Information
Ophthalmic Supply Discounts
Insurance Protection
Debt Collection Service
Retirement Planning (401K)
Merchant Credit Card Programs
Insight E-News
Long Distance Telephone Service
Equipment Leasing
Busch Gardens and Sea World Discounts
Discount Web Development
Car Rental
Overnight Package Delivery

If you have questions about membership, please contact FOA at (800) 399-2334 or Amanda@floridaeyes.org.

Membership Dues

Membership in organized optometry begins with the Florida Optometric Association. When you join FOA, you are also joining your local optometric society, the American Optometric Association, and the Southern Council of Optometrists. In this way, you are represented at the local, state, regional and national level and contribute to every aspect of your profession.

Not only does FOA have 11 member categories, but also dues are based on a sliding scale for newly licensed optometrists. Because there are four separate but linked organizations, a number of membership categories and a sliding scale, computing your dues can be confusing. So if your payment is not accurate, we will invoice you or credit the overpayment to the following year. Please feel free to contact the FOA office at Amanda@floridaeyes.org or call (800) 399-2334 with any questions, or click here for an application.

2009 Membership Dues

American Optometric Association	$651 plus $85 PR dues assessment

Florida Optometric Association	$875

Southern Council of Optometrists	$2

Local Society	$44-160

Total:	$1,632 - 1,748
*Postgraduate, Life and Federal Service members do not pay state dues. There are also reduced dues for Partial Practice and Retired members and for active members over the age of 70. Contact the FOA office at Amanda@floridaeyes.org or call (800) 399-2334 for details.

Sliding Scale
The sliding scale for newly licensed optometrists is as follows:

Year of original licensure	0% of active dues

First year after licensure	10% of active dues

Second year after licensure	20% of active dues

Third year after licensure	50% of active dues

Fourth year after licensure	75% of active dues

Fifth & subsequent years	100% of active dues

Membership Categories

We invite you to join your colleagues in support of optometry by becoming a member of the Florida Optometric Association. You may download an application or contact the FOA office to discuss membership opportunities at (800) 399-2334 or Amanda@floridaeyes.org.

Active Member

A licensed doctor of optometry who is practicing in the state of Florida and who is a member of an affiliated society and the American Optometric Association.

Partial Practice Member

A doctor of optometry licensed to practice in the State of Florida who works twenty (20) or fewer hours per week in compensated activities related to optometry. The optometrist's status must be certified annually by the optometrist and approved by the association. Partial Practice members pay 20% of full dues.

Special Class Member

A doctor of optometry who is not engaged in the industrial, clinical, private or group practice of optometry and not in the federal service. Special Class members pay no FOA dues, but pay full AOA dues.

Post-Graduate Member

A doctor of optometry who is a full-time student in an accredited institution, or resident or fellow in a residency program. Post-Graduate members pay no dues.

Federal Service Member

A doctor of optometry who is a Federal Service member of the American Optometric Association or an affiliated society of FOA. Federal Service members pay no FOA dues, but pay full AOA dues.

Retired Member

A doctor of optometry who is no longer engaged in compensated optometric-related activities who has not been approved for life membership. Retired members pay $52.

Life Member

A doctor of optometry who has attained at least 65 years of age and who has been an active, partial practice, or special class member of the FOA for 35 accumulative years. The years of membership do not have to be continuous years. The member must be an active member in good standing to transition into life membership. Life members pay no dues.

Honorary Member

An individual who has rendered meritorious service to FOA and/or to optometry.

Distinguished Member

A doctor of optometry who has served as president of both FOA and AOA.

Associate Member

A doctor of optometry whose primary practice is in another state and is a member of that state optometric association and the American Optometric Association. Associate members pay dues of $100.

Student Member

An optometric student who is a member of the Florida Optometric Association. AOA also has a student membership program available directly through the American Optometric Association. Student members pay no FOA dues.