Join AZA today and enjoy the benefits of membership!
The following individual membership categories are for people working in zoos and aquariums:
Professional Associate
Employees of a non-AZA member zoo or aquarium, or actively seeking employment in the zoo/aquarium community. This category is also available to those who share a non-commercial professional interest such as volunteers and docents and those in related fields like conservation, academia and government.
Employees of companies or self-employed consultants that provide products or services to the industry ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for this category of membership.
$100/year | Download an application (PDF) or register to apply online. Already have an account and are logged in? Go to My AZA and click on the yellow join button in your profile.
Professional member benefits
Professional Affiliate
Employees of an AZA-accredited Institution, Certified Related Facility, Conservation Partner, Society Partner, or Commercial Member are eligible to apply. Professional Affiliate members have access to upgraded benefits.
$95/year | Download an application (PDF) or register to apply online. Already have an account and are logged in? Go to My AZA and click on the yellow join button in your profile.
Professional member benefits
Professional Fellow
Management-level employees at an AZA-accredited Institution, Certified Related Facility, or Society Partner are eligible. Professional Fellows help shape association policy by voting in AZA elections and are eligible to chair AZA committees and be considered to serve on the Board of Directors.
$195/year | Download an application (PDF) or register to apply online. Already have an account and are logged in? Go to My AZA and click on the yellow join button in your profile.
Professional member benefits
In addition to membership categories for professionals working in zoos and aquariums, two categories are available for individuals not working in the zoo and aquarium (or related) field:
Student
Students shall be individuals who are interested in or preparing for a career in zoos or aquariums and are enrolled full-time or part-time as a student in a compulsory or higher education system.
Download an application (PDF)
Student member benefits
Advocate
The Advocate of Zoos and Aquariums category is available to those individuals who share the conservation mission of the AZA, but are not working at a zoo or aquarium or related field.
Download an application (PDF) or Apply Online (My AZA Account Required)
Benefits of Advocate of Zoos and Aquariums Membership
Benefits of Professional Membership
The following are primary benefits for all Professional Associate, Professional Affiliate and Professional Fellow level members:
- Stay informed with a member-exclusive subscription to AZA’s Connect magazine and the monthly member e-newsletter, INSIGHT
- Access to the Members Only resources on aza.org where you’ll find animal management information, business benchmarking data, conference proceedings and more
- Tap into grants to pursue training and conservation work through the Conservation Grants Fund – eligibility only available to AZA members
- Save with deep discounts on AZA's Annual Conference and Mid-Year Meeting
- Plan field study at other zoos and aquariums and receive discounted or free admissions
- View AZA’s Job Listings board where open positions are available across the country and internationally at zoos and aquariums
- Network with your peers on the AZA Network, a private social networking community bringing together individuals to share knowledge, best practices and experiences
- Membership provides access to AZA’s Professional Development Courses, where you’ll learn skills and enhance career advancement opportunities
- Eligibility to serve on an AZA committee if selected.
- Access AZA's Online Member Directory where members can view member organizations and reported demographic data.
Additional Benefits for Professional Affiliates
As an employee at an AZA member organization, Professional Affiliate members receive all the benefits of a Professional Associate and are:
- Listed in AZA’s Online Member Directory - the "who’s who" of zoo and aquarium professionals!
Additional Benefits for Professional Fellows
AZA’s premier level of individual membership, the Professional Fellow, provides these additional benefits:
- Signify your commitment and leadership with your peers in shaping the policy of AZA with voting rights in association elections
- Take your commitment one step further with eligibility to chair a committee or serve on the AZA Board of Directors
- Access to view Animal Exchange online.
- Eligible for the ELDP (Executive Leadership Development Program).