How to Apply
Individuals wishing to become members of the American Society of Ocularists must apply either as an Apprentice or Associate. Both categories require that the individual be enrolled in the ASO Education Program.
:: Apprentice
| How to Apply |
Please complete the
membership application. Completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee and presented with recommendation for category of membership to the Board of Directors at their next meeting. |
Persons who have secured a training position with an ASO Board Approved Diplomate Ocularist (BADO) may apply as an Apprentice member. An Apprentice devotes 100% of his or her normal working hours to training and practicing as an Ocularist. An Apprentice must be enrolled in and actively participating in the Apprentice Program of the Society in pursuit of a Diploma. During their first two years as a member, an Apprentice must attend three out of four ASO meetings and successfully complete 150 education credits. After their first two years, they are not required to attend every meeting, but must continue to acquire a minimum of 150 credits every two years, verify 2,000 training hours per year to a maximum of 10,000 hours (five years), and accumulate a total of 750 credit hours within seven years. The Apprentice can graduate from the program no sooner than five years and no longer than seven years. It is each member’s responsibility to attend the conferences on a regular basis to ensure these requirements are met. Members who do not obtain the necessary credits within the specified time period will be advised that they are no longer active in the program and therefore not meeting the requirements of their membership category.
Please note that apprenticeships are not arranged by the Society. Each member BADO determines whether or not they would be able to take on an apprentice. A person seeking training must contact BADOs in their area and locate someone who is able to hire and train an apprentice. For people willing and able to relocate, opportunities would be increased. If relocation is possible, we suggest attending one of the bi-annual conferences to let yourself be known to as many ocularists as possible.
:: Associate
Persons presently working in ocularistry may apply as an Associate member. An Associate devotes at least 60% of his or her normal working hours to training and practicing as an Ocularist. As part of the application, individuals are required to submit a completed custom-made prosthesis which will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee to determine if it meets the minimum standards of the American Society of Ocularists. No stock eyes will be accepted. The applicant must also submit a written explanation of how the prosthesis was fabricated, including materials and methods used. Members of the Committee will examine this prosthesis anonymously to ensure an unbiased evaluation. The prosthesis will be examined with a 5x loupe, and judged on the following criteria: the prosthesis must have no debris, visible porosity, tool marks, delamination, sharp edges or cloth fiber (blood vessel) exposure.
An Associate shall be enrolled in the Associate Program of the Society in pursuit of a Diploma. During their first two years as a member, an Associate must attend three out of four ASO meetings and successfully complete 94 education credits. After their first two years, they are not required to attend every meeting, but must continue to acquire a minimum of 94 credits every two years, for a total of 750 credit hours within ten years. The Associate can graduate from the program no sooner than eight years and no longer than ten years. It is each member’s responsibility to attend the conferences on a regular basis to ensure these requirements are met. Members who do not obtain the necessary credits within the specified time period will be advised that they are no longer active in the program and therefore not meeting the requirements of their membership category.
