New Graduate Membership

Starting your career as an optometrist in Alberta? We’d love to welcome you to the AAO community! If you join in the year you graduate, there’s just a $50 registration fee (plus tax)—and no professional fees for that year.

Fees

As you begin your practice in Alberta:

  • First year after graduation → 25% reduction in AAO professional dues, fees, and levies
  • Second year after graduation → 50% reduction in AAO professional dues, fees, and levies

Note: This reduced fee structure does not apply to members who have worked as a full-time clinical resident, been employed as a full-time graduate student, or practiced in another jurisdiction.

Membership Benefits

A full benefits guide will be provided with membership. Benefits include: 

Advocacy & Representation

  • A voice in legislative affairs
  • Membership with the Canadian Association of Optometrists

Public Awareness & Promotion

  • A listing on the patient Find an Optometrist tool on the AAO website
  • Public promotional campaigns, materials, and equipment loans
  • AAO vision care programs (Eye See…Eye Learn™ and Eyesafe™)

Practice Support & Resources

  • Patient information materials and aids
  • Online resources
  • Monthly newsletters with current and trending optometry news

Professional Development

  • Regional meetings and workshops
  • Continuing education opportunities, in-person and online
  • AAO Annual General Meeting and Conference
  • New Grad Orientation session

Member Perks

  • Member discounts for personal and professional services

Becoming a Member

For additional information, or to become a member, please email our Member Services Coordinator.

MemberServices@optometrists.ab.ca