Membership benefits

Protection and guidance throughout your career

A range of insurances to suit your needs, including medical malpractice, indemnity, retrospective and run-off cover and vicarious liability for employers

Expert legal defence and advice for GOC or NHS investigations and patient complaints

Employment law advice and resources to support your career or business

Clinical advice and guidance to help you practise safely, manage risk and maintain excellence in patient care

Regulatory advice and guidance for members in the UK and each of the four nations

Support for your professional development

CPD requirements for all modes of practise are covered by AOP events and webinars, and OT online and in-print

Access to our journal Optometry Today (OT) online and in print (bi-monthly)

Our Mentoring Programme connects experienced optometrists with pre-regs, newly qualified and locums

Tailored support for locum members including our online locum log-book and national locum register

A jobs listing service in OT, as well as national registers for pre-registration optometrists, and businesses to advertise or search vacant positions

Advocacy and influence on the issues that matter

Participate in our voice of optometry surveys which seek your views and experiences on topical issues and shape our media campaigns

Share your views on consultations from government, regulators and healthcare bodies, helping our responses influence policy and guidance affecting the optical sector

Tell our Councillors about the issues that matter to you so we can create effective policy and services for members

Updates on our lobbying and policy work on our members’ behalf, including our position statements and consultation responses, and our work to influence the government, media and public opinion

Other member benefits

Business resources

Whether you’re setting up an independent practice or promoting it, our resources help your business to grow

Health and wellbeing resources

Information to aid health and wellbeing in the optical profession, including access to support services available to members and the wider profession

Optometrist using an optometer to look at patient's eyes

Legal advice line for non-optometry issues

The advice line can assist you with things like neighbour disputes, landlord and tenant issues, intellectual property queries, criminal enquiries and a lot more

HM Revenue & Customs investigations and disputes cover

AOP members receive automatic cover through Markel Tax in respect of tax investigations and VAT disputes as a right of membership, worth more than £400

Partner benefits

Exclusive insurance products and financial advice

You’ll benefit from specialist financial advice; exclusive rates on essential home, travel and practice insurance; pension advice and retirement planning, delivered through our affinity partner Lloyd & Whyte

DBS checks to protect your reputation

We’ve partnered with Complete Background Screening Ltd (CBS) to provide DBS (previously CRB) checks at a reasonable rate. The partnership includes enhanced level disclosure for joining the NHS Performers List

Support with your finances through debt collection services

AOP members benefit from debt collection services through John Whitewood Finance, who are specialists in legal and investigation services

Specialist help with your tax and accountancy needs

Access exclusive discounts on tax and accountancy services including preparation of annual profit and loss accounts, completion of personal tax returns, calculation of tax liability and a free tax refund service through TWD Accountants Limited