The AOA membership process is highly selective:

Step 1:
July: Nominations Open for AOA Membership open after each AOA Annual Meeting
September: Nominations Close for AOA Membership
Current Active, Senior, Senior-Active, or Emeritus AOA members must nominate all candidates.

Step 2:
Each nomination must be seconded (submit letter of support) by another Active, Senior, Senior-Active, or Emeritus AOA member.

Step 3:
Once both letters of nomination are received, AOA Headquarters will contact each candidate to complete an online profile and submit their CV.

Step 4:
Each November, the Membership Committee reviews both letters of support and the candidate’s profile. They then present a recommended slate of candidates to the Executive Committee.

Step 5:
Upon approval from the Executive Committee, the slate of candidates will be presented to the AOA Membership via the online Candidate Member Review process. AOA voting members are encouraged to participate, rating each candidate and providing written comments.

Step 6:
A final slate of candidates will be presented to the membership for approval at the AOA Annual Meeting. New members will be notified of their acceptance into the AOA no later than August.

Step 7: 
The AOA announces the new membership class after newly accepted members have been notified.

Step 8:
New members are inducted at the Annual Meeting the year following their election.