American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
American Association for Pediatric
Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Types of AAPOS Memberships
Thank you for considering membership in the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). We welcome potential membership candidates and will do all we can to assist you in the application process.
The application system for all categories EXCEPT Candidate-in-Training is currently closed. The Candidate-in-Training online system is open year round. All other categories are open from July 1—Nov. 30.
Please note that applicants are required to provide complete and accurate professional information and are responsible for obtaining references and verifications for credentials, licenses, certifications and educational requirements.
All categories of membership, except CIT, will be voted upon at the Business Session of the Annual Meeting in Spring. New members are announced following the Annual Meeting.
Active
Associate (Paths A - C)
Affiliate (Paths A-C)
International (Paths A - D)
Candidate-in-Training
Orthoptist
AAPOS Active Member Eligibility Requirements (yearly dues $425)
1. A physician who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the United States or in Canada
2. And who is certified in ophthalmology by one of the following:
- the American Board of Ophthalmology
- the American Osteopathic Association
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
3. And who is in good standing as an Active Fellow of either:
- the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- the American Osteopathic College
- OR is an Active Member of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society
4. And who has:
- completed one year of fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus under direction of an AAPOS Member (for fellowships completed in 1996 or earlier)
- or has satisfactorily completed an AAPOS approved fellowship program (for fellowships completed after 1996 and before 2006)
- or has satisfactorily completed an Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology compliant fellowship in 2006 or later
5. And who has completed one year of practice in pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus, and whose current practice consists of at least 75% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus.
AAPOS Associate Member Eligibility Requirements (yearly dues $425)
There are three (3) Associate Membership Paths, A through C. All three share common eligibility requirements but differ in fellowship, preceptorship, experience requirements.
Associate Member (Paths A-C) Common Requirements
1. A physician who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery in one or more of the United States or in Canada
2. And who is certified in ophthalmology by one of the following:
- the American Board of Ophthalmology
- the American Osteopathic Association
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
3. And who is in good standing as an Active Fellow of either:
- the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- the American Osteopathic College
- OR is an Active Member of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society
4. And who has made a significant commitment to the field of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
Associate Member (Paths A - C) Specific Requirements
Path - A
completion of a six month fellowship training program in pediatric ophthalmology or strabismus and two years in practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus
Path - B
completion of a two year preceptorship with an AAPOS Member and one year in practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus
Path - C
no fellowship training program but five years in practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus
AAPOS Affiliate Member (Paths A-C) Eligibility Requirments (yearly dues $425)
Affiliate Member (Path A - Ophthalmologist)
1. A physician who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the United States or in Canada
2. And who is certified in ophthalmology by one of the following:
1. The American Board of Ophthalmology
2 The American Osteopathic Association
3. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
3. And who is in good standing as an Active Fellow of either:
1. The American Academy of Ophthalmology
2. The American Osteopathic College
3. OR is an Active Member of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society
Affiliate Member (Path B - PhD)
1. A PhD practicing outside the field of ophthalmology and
2. Has demonstrated contributions to the field of pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus and
3. Is not eligible for another class of AAPOS membership and
4. Has been nominated by three active AAPOS members.
Affiliate Member ( C - Physician)
1. A physician who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the United States or in Canada practicing outside the field of ophthalmology and
2. Has demonstrated contributions to the field of pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus and
3. Is not eligible for another class of AAPOS membership and
4. Has been nominated by three active AAPOS members.
An Affiliate Member shall not have the right to vote and shall be ineligible to hold office.
AAPOS International Member Eligibility Requirements (yearly dues $215)
There are four (4) International Membership Paths, A through D. All four differ in their fellowship / preceptorship and experience requirements.
International Member (Paths A - D) Common Requirements
Physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery, and who meets one of the following criteria:
International Member (Paths A - D) Specific Requirements
- PATH A - completion of a six-month fellowship training program in pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus and two years in practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus.
- PATH B - completion of a two year preceptorship with an AAPOS Member and one year in practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus.
- PATH C - no fellowship training program, but five years practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus.
- PATH D - one year of fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus under the direction of an AAPOS Member and one year in practice consisting of at least 50% pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus.
AAPOS Candidate-In-Training Member Eligibility Requirements (yearly dues $140)
A physician who is engaged on a full-time basis in an Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology compliant fellowship shall be eligible to apply for the status of Candidate-in-Training. An individual is eligible for the category of Candidate-in-Training for the duration of the fellowship program plus two years for a total not to exceed four years. Applicants for the Candidate-in-Training category will be reviewed and considered by the Membership Committee with confirmation by the Board of Directors. Admission as a Candidate-in-Training does not waive any requirement, including maintaining active and unrestricted licensure, necessary for any category of membership.
AAPOS Orthoptist Member Eligibility Requirements (yearly dues $140)
An orthoptist who has been certified by either the American Orthoptic Council or the Canadian Orthoptic Council, or an orthoptist whose country has full membership status in the International Orthoptic Association shall be eligible to apply to become an Orthoptist Member.
Additional AAPOS Membership Categories
Honorary Member
An individual of outstanding caliber, not eligible for another class of membership, and who has made a major contribution in the fields of pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus, may be elected to Honorary Membership by the Board of Directors as provided in these Bylaws. An Honorary Member shall not have the right to vote and shall be ineligible to hold office.
Emeritus Member
A Charter Member, Active Member, Associate Member, International Member, Honorary Member, or Orthoptist Member who is in good standing with AAPOS and who is completely retired from the clinical practice of pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus, or who has reached the age of 70 years, is eligible to apply to become a Member Emeritus in his or her previous category of membership. An Emeritus Member who is not yet 70 years of age and who resumes the clinical practice of pediatric ophthalmology and/or strabismus, even on a part-time basis, must notify AAPOS within 60 days, and he or she will no longer be eligible for Emeritus status. A Member Emeritus shall not have the right to vote and shall be ineligible to hold office.