AO Master and Diplomate Certificates
Be recognized for your achievement.
The Academy of Osseointegration’s credentialing program is geared towards incentivizing practitioners to obtain advanced education, training and experience in implant dentistry; promote high quality implant education globally; and enhance patient care through highly educated implant practitioners. The program awards both AO Master and Diplomate Certificates to applicants who meet the defined criteria.
The AO Masters and Diplomate application is now closed. Please look for the 2027 application information to be posted in April, 2026.
Application Process
Applicants may prepare for Surgical, Restorative or a combination of both Surgical and Restorative Certificates for either the Master or Diplomate certificates by completing the online application and paying the appropriate fees.
Documented cases and images (clinical and radiographs) must be included in the application. All applications are due October 31 for recognition at the next AO Annual Meeting in March.
Once your application is approved, applicants will be invited to register for a one-hour online exam in December/January administered through Survey Monkey and proctored through Zoom. This online exam is multiple choice and includes approximately 50 questions.
Upon passing the online exam, applicants will be invited to attend the oral exam at the upcoming AO Annual Meeting where they will be scheduled to meet with at least two AO Credentialing Board Member to present their cases (included in their original application) and defend their treatment decisions.
Awardees will be recognized during the AO Annual Meeting in which their oral exams are held.
Both the AO Master and Diplomate Certificates are valid for six (6) years and require reapplication for renewal.
Specialist Requirements
Specialists are not required to provide proof of CE if they have received their Specialty Certificate (in Periodontics, Prosthodontics or Oral Maxillofacial Surgery) from a North-American based accredited university. All other applicants should apply under the General Practitioner category.
General Practitioner Requirements
Includes Non-NCRDSCB Specialists (National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards)
General practitioner applicants must complete a required minimum number of didactic training hours involving restorative and/or surgical components. Master applicants are required to document a minimum of 150 hours of implant-related CE, 15 hours of AO online education and 20 hours of hands-on training. Diplomate applicants are required to document a minimum of 300 hours of implant-related CE, 25 hours of AO online education and 30 hours of hands-on training.
Please note: Beginning in November 2025, ALL CE credit requirements can only be obtained from an AO-approved Training Center program. Click below to view the list of AO Approved Training Centers. Online education requirements may still be earned through AO online webinars and education.
All future applicants are encouraged to register for and attend the session during the 2026 AO Annual Meeting. “AO Diplomate and Masters Credentialing Program: Everything You Need to Know” on Thursday, March 5 from 9:00 – 10:30 am in Washington, DC at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. An overview of the program will be provided as well as a Q&A with the Program Chair. Look for Annual Meeting registration to open in October 2025.
AO Authorized Training Centers
Currently, AO has thirteen (13) approved training centers that meet AO’s strict academic and training criteria. These programs provide advanced education and training in the art of dental implants. All training centers must meet or exceed AO’s Training Provider requirements for Master/Diplomate Clinician Courses in Implant Dentistry. These qualified institutions have ensured that sufficient faculty, financial resources, and academic support exist and comply with AO’s requirements. Each qualified institution site has the necessary professional, technical, and clinical personnel to comply with AO’s requirements. Upon the completion of the training center programs, participants are prepared to take either the Master or Diplomate online credentialing exam; must submit the required amount of case presentations; and successfully pass the required in-person oral exam in order to receive their respective certificate.