BECOME A MEMBER
Important Note: Membership Approval Process for New Members: In the initial application process, there is a non-refundable $100.00 + HST Administration Fee, following which an application approval will be pending upon approval by the Board. The successful Applicant will receive notification of approval in addition to a link for the processing of payment for the Membership Dues.
Canadian Graduates: OAO’s Membership Committee will be empowered to evaluate the education provided by Canadian osteopathic institutions to determine their equivalency to the current list of approved institutions. These recommendations will be presented to the Board of Directors for review and ratification.
International Graduates: Should an individual be a graduate of an international educational institution which qualifies them for membership in a regulatory college in a country where osteopathic regulation is recognized by the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA), then their education shall be considered sufficient for applying for membership in the OAO.
It is important that you download the membership guide and have all the documents and information before beginning the membership application process. The server connection will time out if not completed in a timely manner.
Click here to download the (fillable) guide that lists of requirements to complete the Active (practicing in Ontario) Membership application.
Click here to download the (fillable) guide that lists of requirements to complete the Affiliate (practicing in Canada but outside Ontario) Membership application.
Click here to download the guide that lists of requirements to complete the Student Membership application.
The OAO will not process your application if:
- Forms are incomplete
- Supporting documents are missing
- Supporting documents are illegible
- The fee is not provided
APPLY as an AFFILIATE or ACTIVE MEMBER APPLY as a STUDENT MEMBER
General Information on Membership Applications
Please ensure that you have all the documentation and information that is required prior to beginning the membership application process. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Membership Committee.
In addition to a completed application form, membership dues, administration service and/or re-reinstatement fees, applicants for Active membership (practicing in Ontario) and Affiliate membership (practicing in another province or territory) are required to submit proof of provincial osteopathic professional liability insurance (a minimum of $5 million), a current Vulnerable Sector Check (must be dated within six months of application date), a current Standard First Aid with a minimum Level C CPR/AED or higher certificate, and a copy of your diploma/certificate and transcripts (as proof of successful completion of your educational program).
The OAO reserves the right to see the original diploma/certificate or transcripts. Please include detailed curriculum and course descriptions from the educational institution that you attended.
In addition, there may be specific requirements, depending on the educational institution that you graduated from, when you graduated, and if you are currently living or working in another province or country. If you graduated from an osteopathic program of study more than two years ago, we may ask for additional information, such as your work history and/or evidence of continuing professional development activities.
The Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization promoting excellence in the practice of osteopathy.
Approval Process
The Membership Committee reviews all applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to whether an applicant should be approved for membership. Applicants are approved for membership at OAO Board Meetings by the OAO Board of Directors. You will need to allow for up to 60 days for the OAO Office to process your completed application form and documentation and for the Membership Committee to make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. All applications are reviewed for content, consistency and accuracy, so please ensure all requirements are met and that your application is complete. Please remember to keep a copy of your completed application.
If you have questions about the application form or specific requirements, please contact the OAO Office at admin@osteopathyontario.org.
Benefits of Active Membership
Be part of a growing association of like-minded colleagues who promote osteopathy and advocate on behalf of the profession! Support your profession and have a voice in the development of the profession. Be part of a thriving and innovative profession that is expanding across Canada and make a difference in improving patient care and access to quality care.
As an OAO Member, you will be able to:
-
Receive current news on the profession.
-
Receive information and invitations to events, courses, conferences and e-newsletters.
-
Access the Members Only section of our website, containing OAO documents as well as documents and publications from other osteopathy organizations, including international organizations.
-
Utilize the OAO “link button” to create a direct link from their website to the OAO website.
-
Stay up-to-date with what is happening in osteopathy and with your colleagues.
-
Receive an invitation to and have your voice heard at the OAO Annual Members Meeting.
-
Vote in the elections.
-
Join the Board of Directors (Active or Inactive members only) or volunteer to be part of a committee and get to know other Osteopathic Manual Practitioners in Ontario (eligible) for Continuing Professional Development CEUs.
-
Receive a complimentary subscription (four issues per year) to the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, delivered to the address of your choice.
-
Receive an official electronic OAO stamp (property of OAO), which contains the OAO trademarked logo, your name, and an OAO membership number to be used for your assessment and treatment receipts.
-
Obtain a listing on OAO’s “Find a Practitioner” section of the website – your name, city/town, clinic(s) name(s), address(es) and phone number(s) are available to the public and to insurance companies representatives/third party administrators who can quickly and easily verify that you are a member and reimburse your client for their osteopathy claims.
-
Be part of a postal code search capability that helps people find your clinic close to their home or business.
-
Receive Member-only discounts on OAO-sponsored courses and events.
-
Post an employment/office rental opportunity advertisements and course notices on the OAO website.
-
Order Member-only brochures, posters and stickers, which you can use to promote your own practice.
We represent you and communicate with external organizations, the government, the media and other stakeholders, so you don’t have to advocate on your behalf and represent to government, insurance companies, health regulatory colleges, associations, the Canada Revenue Agency and others.
We also help potential members understand the profession that they wish to join and ensure that they understand the importance of osteopathic education. We provide information to members of the public who want to know more about what osteopathy is and what we do. We provide information to the media and assist our members in responding to media requests.
APPLY as an AFFILIATE or ACTIVE MEMBER APPLY as a STUDENT MEMBER