Information for pre registration optometrists who have recently qualified

About the grade

The Newly-Qualified membership grade provides access to the unrivalled benefits of AOP membership including insurance cover, all at a significant discount for recently-qualified optometrists. Newly-qualified optometrists are eligible for this grade for the remainder of the year that they qualified and the subsequent year. Following this period, the Full UK or Full Concessionary fee will apply.

Why join or upgrade your student membership

On qualifying, the insurance cover provided as part of the AOP’s free student membership is no longer valid. The GOC requires you to have adequate insurance cover in place to practise in the UK, and upgrading your membership to the Newly-Qualified grade will meet this requirement.

Our Newly-Qualified membership fee for the 2023 membership year is £447.00.

The fee that you pay will be pro-rated based on the start date of your membership. For example, if you join on 1 April, you will pay £335.25 for your 2023 membership. Our membership runs from the start date selected to 31 December, and a renewal notice for the following year’s membership is sent by post in November.

Membership fees can be paid by credit or debit card, or a Direct Debit can be set up to collect monthly payments, from 1 January and then on the first of the month till 1 October. There is no Direct Debit collection in November and December.

How to join the AOP or upgrade to the Newly-Qualified grade

New to the AOP - Please complete the joining process online. We look forward to welcoming you to AOP membership.

Existing AOP student and pre-registration student members - please log onto the website using the email address provided during the AOP registration process. If you have forgotten your password, please use the forgotten password link to request a new one. Once logged on, use the online joining process to upgrade your membership or email the membership team at [email protected]