Qualifications for Membership in AOSA

OFFICIAL LABORATORIES 

Seed laboratories of government regulatory agencies and/or government institutions as defined in Article IV Section 2, engaged in seed testing and/or seed research shall be eligible for Official Laboratory status. Each Official Laboratory shall be entitled to one vote in the election of officers and other business of the Association. The vote of an Official Laboratory shall be cast by one of the Affiliate members.

ALLIED LABORATORIES 

Laboratories of government agencies and government institutions, outside the United States and Canada and as defined in Article IV Section 2, engaged in seed research, testing, training, and/or regulatory work shall be eligible for Allied laboratory status. Persons employed in technical and/or professional positions in Allied laboratories shall automatically become Allied Members. Allied members shall be eligible for appointment to but not serve as chairperson for any committees except subcommittees. They shall not be eligible for election as an officer or member of the Executive Board of the Association or entitled to vote in Association elections or other business of the Association.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Persons not attached to the staffs of member laboratories, but are engaged in seed analysis, seed research, teaching, extension, crop improvement agencies, and related activities in universities, government agencies or government institutions. Associate members shall be eligible for appointment to committees and committee chairpersons and may enter motions in meetings of the Association, but shall not be eligible for election as an officer or member of the Executive Board of the Association, except for election as Secretary-Treasurer, or entitled to vote in Association elections or other business of the Association.

HONORARY MEMBERS

Any person who has rendered signal service in one or more of the fields of activity of the Association mentioned in Article III is eligible for Honorary Membership. They shall have all privileges of Associate Members except that of receiving complimentary copies of the Journal of Seed Technology. They shall have a free registration at the Annual Meeting. Any Member of the Association may nominate a person for Honorary Membership. Such nominations shall be submitted to the Membership Committee. If approved by the Executive Board, the name will be presented to the delegates at the Annual Meeting. They shall be declared elected upon a two-thirds majority vote.

Qualifications for Membership in SCST

1.Registered Seed Technologist: These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the RST exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of two years work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience.  The RST exam includes written purity and germination exams as well as a germination practical exam, seed separations, and seed identification.  RSTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual membership dues.  They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Societies name, logo, RST seal, and the title Registered Seed Technologist.  RSTs have one vote on all Society business and can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds.  RSTs are eligible to run for elected office and can chair or participate on committees

2. Registered Genetic Technologist: These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the RGT exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of two years work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience. An RGT has passed three of the four genetic technology exams: herbicide bioassay, electrophoresis, immunoassay testing (ELISA), and PCR.  The RGT exam includes a required written molecular genetics and area specific written and practical exams in the four genetic technology areas. RGTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual membership dues.  They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Societies name, logo, RGT seal, and the title Registered Genetics Technologist. RGTs are eligible to run for elected office and can chair or participate on committees

3.  Certified Genetic Technologist:  These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the CGT exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of one year of work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience.  A CGT has passed one or two of the four genetic technology exams: herbicide bioassay, electrophoresis, immunoassay testing (ELISA), and PCR.  The CGT exam includes a required written molecular genetics exam and area specific written and practical exams in the four genetic technology areas.  CGTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual dues. They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Societies name, logo, and the title Certified Genetic Technologist.  CGTs have one vote on all Society business and can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds.  CGTs are eligible to run for elected office and can chair or participate on committees.

4. & 5. Certified Viability & Purity Technologist:  These are individuals who have successfully qualified for and passed the CVT or CPT exam. The current qualifications include a minimum of two years of work experience, two years of an active Associate Membership and accumulation of 100 points from workshops, college courses, and work experience. The CVT exam includes written purity and germination exams as well as a germination practical exam.  The CPT exam includes the written purity exam, and seed separations, and seed identification practical exams.

CVTs and CPTs are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain membership and are required to pay annual dues. They must sign a contract for Privilege of Use of the Societies name, logo, and the title Certified Viability or Purity Technologist. Appendix E contains a sample contract, CVTs and CPTs have one vote on all Society business and can vote on the amendments to the AOSA for Rules Testing Seeds.  They are eligible to run for elected office and chair or participate on any committees.

6. Research Member:  Individuals involved in teaching, research and outreach in the field of seed technology.  They are entitled to one vote on all Society matters, and are eligible to use the Name, Insignia (logo), title Research Member and hold elective office. They are entitled to an annual subscription of the Seed Technologist News, Proceedings, Board Notes, and reduced prices on AOSA publications.

7. Associate Member: Individuals interested in seed technology.