Membership Classifications

The Colorado Optometric Association 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. The COA Board of Trustees acts on member applications weekly.

Please note that the COA requires that a new application be completed when changing COA membership status.

Click on the desired classification below for more information and downloadable application forms that may be faxed or mailed to the COA.

Active

A qualified optometrist residing in Colorado and licensed to practice the profession of Optometry in Colorado may be approved as an active member.

Partial Practice

An optometrist who works twenty-four (24) or fewer hours per week in compensated optometrically related activities and who has reached at least dues level 3 as defined in Article XIV of the COA Bylaws may be approved as a partial practice member of this Association with full membership privileges.

Please note that members who request maternity and paternity leave from membership may apply for a change of status to partial practice if working an average of twenty-four or fewer hours per week.

Federal Services

An optometrist on active duty in the armed services of the United States, on active duty in the commissioned corps of the United States public Health Service, or a full-time employee of the Veterans Administration or other federal government entity, who is stationed in Colorado, may be approved as a federal services member.

Associate

An optometrist who is licensed and practicing the profession of Optometry in other states of the United States, territories of the United States or foreign countries may be approved as an associate member, providing, however, said associate licensee is a member in good standing of the American Optometric Association.

Retired

An optometrist who has been an active, partial practice, federal service or special class member and is no longer engaged in compensated optometrically 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 meets the following criteria may be approved as a life member:

1. Is fully retired from the practice of optometry;

2. Has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years; and

3. Has held membership in the Colorado Optometric Association for a minimum period of thirty (30) years, including ten (10) years of consecutive membership immediately prior to retirement.

Special

An optometrist residing in Colorado who is not engaged in the industrial, clinical or private practice of optometry and who is not in federal service, may be approved as a special member.

Student/Post Graduate

1. A person working toward a Doctor of Optometry degree, a person currently in an approved residency program, or a fellow in an approved advanced study program of optometry may be approved as a student member.

2. Postgraduates who hold the OD degree but who are not yet Colorado licensed may hold student membership for twelve months after graduation.

Paraoptometric

An office assistant or technician who is currently employed by or works directly with an optometrist who is a member of the Colorado Optometric Association.

Allied

A business, organization or group that assists or supports the Association may be approved as an Allied member.