Eligibility and Dues

Express Membership for Graduating Residents

The resident membership expires June 30 in the final year of residency training. To continue membership beyond residency, graduating residents should apply to become candidate members. Visit AAOMS.org/apply to complete the application and begin the candidate membership process.

To qualify for Express Membership, new candidate members should complete the Certification of Completion of OMS Training form by Dec. 31 (in the year of residency completion). Qualifying candidates are bestowed the honor of election to provisional membership at the next AAOMS Annual Meeting. Qualifying candidates also have fewer required application components.

Graduating residents who apply early for candidate membership receive the graduated dues discount for three years post-residency, as described below:

• Year of residency completion: complimentary membership
• One-year post-residency: no dues
• Two years post-residency: one-third of full dues
• Three years post-residency: two-thirds of full dues
• Subsequent years: full dues

Graduating residents who participate in a post-residency fellowship are eligible for an additional free year. Email [email protected] for more information.

Graduating residents who continue as active duty in the federal services, public health services or Veterans Affairs or whose sole employment is faculty in an ADA CODA accredited OMS residency program are eligible for an additional discount in membership dues. To qualify, confirmation of federal service or faculty appointment is required. Email [email protected] to learn more.

Candidate Member

Candidate membership is the first stage of the application process. A candidate has completed OMS residency, is practicing in the U.S., and began the application process toward full membership with AAOMS.

Candidate membership allows up to three years to fulfill all membership qualifications.

Candidates who fulfill all membership qualifications are bestowed the honor of election to provisional or active member or fellow status each year at the AAOMS Annual Meeting. Annual Meeting attendance is not required for election to occur. Membership changes approved at the Annual Meeting are reflected on AAOMS.org as of Jan. 1.

Candidates who are active duty in the federal services, public health services or Veterans Affairs or whose sole employment is faculty in an ADA CODA accredited OMS residency program are eligible for an additional discount in membership dues. Email [email protected] to learn more.

Express Membership for Graduating Residents

To qualify for Express Membership, new candidate members should complete the Certification of Completion of OMS Training form by Dec. 31 (in the year of residency completion). Qualifying candidates are bestowed the honor of election to provisional membership at the next AAOMS Annual Meeting. Qualifying candidates also have fewer required application components.

Graduating residents who apply early for candidate membership receive the graduated dues discount for three years post-residency, as described below:

• Year of residency completion: complimentary membership
• One year post-residency: no dues
• Two years post-residency: one-third of full dues
• Three years post-residency: two-thirds of full dues
• Subsequent years: full dues

Graduating residents who participate in a post-residency fellowship are eligible for an additional free year. Email [email protected] for more information.

Provisional Member

Provisional membership is the second stage of the application process. A provisional member practices in the U.S. 

Provisional membership allows up to two years to fulfill the remaining membership qualifications. Upon fulfillment of the qualifications, the membership is automatically elevated from provisional to active membership status.

To elevate from provisional to active membership, the following qualifications must be fulfilled.

• Active membership status with the state OMS society for the primary practice location identified on the member’s AAOMS.org profile
• Successful completion of the AAOMS OAE Program

Fellow and Member

Fellow

An elected member achieves fellow status upon qualifying as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). Upon formal notification from ABOMS, memberships will be elevated to fellow status.

Fellows may serve in the AAOMS House of Delegates and as officers and trustees of the Association.

Member

A member practices in the U.S., successfully completed the application process and fulfilled all membership qualifications.

Members comply with the Code of Professional Conduct.

Members maintain active membership with the state OMS society for the primary practice location identified on the member’s AAOMS.org profile. Members renew completion of the AAOMS OAE Program every five years.

Affiliate Candidate and Affiliate Member

An affiliate candidate has completed OMS residency, is practicing outside the U.S., and began the application process toward full affiliate membership with AAOMS.

Affiliate candidate membership allows up to three years to fulfill all membership qualifications.

Affiliate candidates who fulfill all membership qualifications are bestowed the honor of election to affiliate member status each year at the AAOMS Annual Meeting. Annual Meeting attendance is not required for election to occur. Membership changes approved at the Annual Meeting are reflected on AAOMS.org as of Jan. 1.

Life Member

Life membership is an honor bestowed to those who meet one of the eligibility requirements, listed below.

• Completion of a minimum of 30 dues-paying years post-election and a minimum member age of 65
• Completion of a minimum of 35 dues-paying years post-election, regardless of member age

Exceptions to eligibility may be granted if a member retires in the year they become eligible for life membership. Email [email protected] for more information.

Eligibility is reviewed annually by AAOMS staff. Membership changes are reflected on AAOMS.org as of Jan. 1 in the year after fulfilling eligibility.

Life members may serve in the AAOMS House of Delegates and as officers and trustees of the Association.

Life members may register for the AAOMS Annual Meeting at an additionally reduced rate.

Retired Member

Retired membership is an honor bestowed to those who meet the eligibility requirements, listed below.

• No longer practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery in any capacity. (Active practice is any activity requiring licensure or permit in dentistry or medicine.)
• Completion of a minimum of 20 dues-paying years post-election

Exceptions to eligibility may be granted if a member retires due to a medical issue impacting the ability to practice. Email [email protected] for more information.

Retired members may participate as faculty while in the retired membership category. Retired members who return to practice beyond faculty appointment must notify AAOMS and request transfer to active membership status.

Retired members may voluntarily participate in the state OMS society.

Inactive Member

A member who temporarily steps away from oral and maxillofacial surgery practice, does not derive income from oral and maxillofacial surgery, and is not yet retired may be eligible for inactive membership status. Members interested in this category should email [email protected] to discuss their options.

Inactive members do not qualify for member benefits or discounts.

Upon return to practice, inactive members must notify AAOMS and request transfer to active membership status.

Inactive membership may be maintained for a maximum of five years. Following the fifth year, transfer to active or retired membership status or resignation of membership is required.

Honorary Fellow

At the AAOMS Annual Meeting, the House of Delegates may bestow the honor of honorary fellow to an individual who made distinguished contributions to the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

An honorary fellow may receive the member discount.

Any member may recommend nomination in writing to the Awards Nominating Committee by January 31 annually.

Allied Staff Member

All U.S. practicing membership categories may sponsor their administrative, clinical and practice management staff who are employed at their practice location for allied staff membership.

If an allied staff member leaves employment at the sponsoring member’s practice, they must email [email protected] and provide new employment and sponsoring member information.

If an allied staff membership lapses due to non-receipt of the annual membership dues, a new application, membership dues and reinstatement fees are required.

Allied staff membership is not transferrable.

2025 Membership Dues and Assessments

The membership year is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Annual dues are assessed in October and are due by Dec. 15, for the upcoming membership year.