Categories of Membership

1. Active (Accredited) Comprehensive U.S. Membership
   An eye bank (or group of eye banks organized and operated as a single legal entity) is eligible for Active U.S. Membership if it (or in the case of a group, each of its members): (1) is organized under the laws of a state of the United States and is an organization exempt from federal taxation under Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, or another provision deemed analogous by the Association; (2) provides evidence satisfactory to the Association that it has substantial support among the local medical and ophthalmological communities; (3) has successfully completed the Association's accreditation process; (4) is not currently suspended or terminated from Association membership as the result of a finding of unethical conduct under the Association's Code of Ethics; and (5) pays the required dues.
2. Active (Accredited) Limited U.S. Membership
   An eye bank (or entity(ies) performing limited eye bank activities or a group of eye banks) which performs a limited number of eye banking activities is eligible for Active (Accredited) Limited U.S. Membership if it: (1) is organized under the laws of a state of the United States and is an organization exempt from federal taxation under Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, or another provision deemed analogous by the Association; (2) provides evidence satisfactory to the Association that it has substantial support among the local medical and ophthalmological communities; (3) has successfully completed the Association's accreditation process for those eye banking activities it performs; (4) is not currently suspended or terminated from Association membership as the result of a finding of unethical conduct under the Association's Code of Ethics; and (5) pays the required dues.
3. Associate (Unaccredited) U.S. Membership
   An eye bank (or entity(ies) performing limited eye bank activities or a group of eye banks) is eligible for Associate (Unaccredited) U.S. Membership if it meets all the requirements for Active (Accredited) Comprehensive or, alternatively, Active (Accredited) Limited U.S. Membership except that it has not yet met or does not currently meet the Association's requirements for accreditation.
4. Active (Accredited) Comprehensive International Membership
   An eye bank (or group of eye banks) located outside the United States is eligible for Active (Accredited) Comprehensive International Membership if it meets the requirements substantially equivalent to those for Active (Accredited) Comprehensive U.S. Membership, except that it is organized as a charitable, educational or social welfare organization under applicable law of a foreign nation or political subdivision thereof.
5. Active (Accredited) Limited International Membership
   An eye bank (or entity(ies performing limited eye bank activities or a group of eye banks) located outside the United States is eligible for Active (Accredited) Limited International Membership if it meets the requirements substantially equivalent to those for Active (Accredited) Limited U.S. Membership, except that it is organized as a charitable, educational or social welfare organization under applicable law of a foreign nation or political subdivision thereof.
6. Associate (Unaccredited) International Membership
   An eye bank (or entity(ies) performing limited eye bank activities) located outside the United States is eligible for Associate (Unaccredited) International Membership if it meets all the criteria for Active (Accredited) Comprehensive or, alternatively, Active (Accredited) Limited International Membership except that it has not yet met or does not currently meet the Association's requirements for accreditation

Sponsoring Organization.
Sponsoring organizations must not procure, process, screen, or distribute ocular tissue for transplantation, education and/or research. This program offers organizations the opportunity to attend EBAA meetings and committee meetings, receive information on Association activities and developments affecting the field of eye banking and participate as non-voting members of EBAA committees.

Download an application for a sponsoring organization

Procedures for Admission
Any applicant for membership in any category shall submit such information and pay such application fee and/or dues as may be required by the Association. The application shall be received in the office of the Association headquarters and forwarded to the appropriate committee for action. Admission to membership in any category shall require a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Download an application for regular membership

Download an application for limited membership

ACCREDITATION

The EBAA is a nationally recognized accrediting body for eye banks. Eye banking professionals conduct site inspections of eye banks at least every three years to evaluate adherence to EBAA Medical Standards and procedures. EBAA accreditation meets or exceeds most state and national regulations and encourages public confidence in eye banking.

If your eye bank is seeking to become accredited, please contact Rusty Kelly at 202-775-4999 or by email at rusty@restoresight.org.