Membership Classifications

SDOS/AOA Membership Classifications

The South Dakota Optometric Society has a variety of membership classifications to accommodate all modes of practice and stages of your career. Please review the following categories and contact us if you have any questions regarding which classification is right for your situation.

Dues vary by member category.  Membership applications are acted upon as soon as they are received. 

Please note that you must belong to both the South Dakota Optometric Society and the American Optometric Association.

Please review the dues classifications below, then submit your contact information.  We will reply with the appropriate application for SDOS/AOA membership and information on dues.

 

Active Membership Status

A qualified optometrist licensed to practice the profession of optometry in South Dakota may be approved as an active member.
 

Partial Practice

An optometrist who works sixteen (16) or fewer hours per week resulting in compensation from optometric-related activities may be approved as a partial practice member of the SDOS/AOA with full membership privileges.
 

Ascending Dues for New Graduates

First year after graduation from optometric school is free.  After that, dues are calculated on an ascending schedule for four years.  In the fifth year of practice, you are on active member status.
 

Retired

An optometrist who has been an active or partial practice and is no longer engaged in compensated optometric-related activities, and has not been approved for life membership, may be approved as a retired member. 
 

Life

An optometrist who is a member in good standing and who has met the 45 years of practice requirement is eligible to apply for Life membership.