Join BIOS
BIOS offers a range of membership options to suit all prospective members.
By joining BIOS, you’re part of a community with a shared interest in standing up for orthoptics and working for the benefit of all of our members. We can support you to make the most of your career with comprehensive protection, exclusive resources, and expert advice and guidance.
If you’re part of the orthoptic profession, we invite you to join BIOS today! Whether you’re an orthoptist, clinical assistant, technician, or student, BIOS is here for you.
Explore the benefits of membership then find your category below. Membership is annual, with your membership year starting from the time you sign up. Most members choose easy monthly payments by Direct Debit, but you can also pay by card or BACS transfer.
If you would like to request a change to your current membership type, please fill in the membership change request form.
For any other questions, reach out to us at bios@orthoptics.org.uk.
Student Membership
Student membership is free of charge to all students on pre-registration orthoptics courses. Once you graduate, we even throw in three months worth of full membership for free! Contact your department for details on how to sign up.
If you’re currently studying an orthoptics course in the UK and about to graduate, find out more about graduate membership below.
Membership Tiers
Full Member (UK)
Registered orthoptist
This is the membership for all orthoptists working in the UK not qualifying for other membership levels
*Full Members on Maternity, Adoption or Shared Parental Leave are entitled to a reduction in fees while they are on leave (UK – £149.56). Members must confirm this with the office (bios@orthoptics.org.uk) before they start their period of leave.
From £36.78 / Month (£441.39 / Year)
What’s included for all UK memberships
- Insurance
- Employment / TU Representation
- Employment advice
- Discounted legal services
- BOSTU Voting rights
- Discounted rates for meetings/conferences
- Clinical Meetings, Conferences, AGM, BIOS Voting Rights
- IOA & OCE membership
- BIOS Members Area
- BIOS CPD system
Academic / Non-taxpayer (UK)
Academic or
Registered orthoptist earning below the personal tax-free allowance
Note: Insurance and trade union cover only when a practising orthoptist within healthcare organisations/BIOS committees.
From £25.23/ Month (£302.76 / Year)
Support Workforce (UK)
Assistant/Technician accountable to/managed by an orthoptist
(Formerly Associate membership)
Note: Insurance and union coverage applies only when performing delegated orthoptic tasks.
From £10.30 / Month (£123.71 / Year)
Graduate Membership (UK)
New Graduate in first full year of practice.
Once you’ve been offered your first job, sign up for graduate membership and receive all of the benefits of Full membership but at a discounted rate.
From £24.50 / Month, with payments starting after three months (£220.54 / Year)
Full (ROI)
Practising orthoptist
This is the membership for all orthoptists working in the Republic of Ireland or Gibraltar not qualifying for other membership levels
*Full Members on Maternity, Adoption or Shared Parental Leave are entitled to a reduction in fees while they are on leave (£102.64). Members must confirm this with the office (bios@orthoptics.org.uk) before they start their period of leave.
From £25.23/ Month (£302.76/ Year)
What’s included for all ROI memberships
- Insurance
- Employment advice
- Discounted legal services
- Clinical Meetings
- Clinical Meetings, Conferences, AGM, BIOS Voting Rights
- IOA & OCE membership
- BIOS Members Area
- BIOS CPD system
Academic / Non-taxpayer (ROI)
Academic orthoptist or
Registered orthoptist earning below the personal tax-free allowance
Note: Insurance and trade union cover only when a practising orthoptist within healthcare organisations/BIOS committees.
From £17.34 / Month (£208.27 / Year)
Support Workforce (ROI)
Assistant/Technician accountable to/managed by an orthoptist
(Formerly Associate membership)
Note: Insurance and union coverage apply only when performing delegated orthoptic tasks.
From £7.07 / Month (£85.17 / Year)
Graduate Membership (ROI)
New Graduate in first full year of practice.
Once you’ve been offered your first job, sign up for graduate membership and receive all of the benefits of Full membership but at a discounted rate.
From £16.83 / Month, with payments starting after three months (£151.54 / Year)
Non- practising memberships
If you’re not currently practising as an orthoptist in the UK or Ireland but wish to keep up to date with the latest developments or take advantage of our discounted CPD and other member benefits, you can join as a non-practising member.
What’s included for all of our memberships
- Clinical Meetings
- Clinical Meetings, Conferences, AGM, BIOS Voting Rights
- IOA & OCE membership
- BIOS Members Area
- BIOS CPD system
Non-practising
For qualified orthoptists who are currently not practising.
This is not intended for those on Maternity, Adoption or Shared Parental Leave. See details under Full membership for this.
From £10.30 / Month (£123.71 / Year)
Retired
Retired membership is for those orthoptists who have retired and no longer practise in any capacity.
From £6.68 / Month (£80.20 / Year)
Overseas
Overseas membership is for qualified orthoptists who live and practice outside the British Isles and Gibraltar
From £17.65 / Month (£211.99 / Year)