AGD Fellowship FAQs

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AGD Fellowship FAQs

Distinguish yourself professionally through quality continuing education (CE) by pursuing the prestigious Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Fellowship Award.

Learn more about AGD Fellowship and the requirements to attain the award from the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below. For additional information, contact the AGD Membership Services Center toll-free at 888.243.3368 or membership@agd.org

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What are the requirements for AGD Fellowship?

Active dentist membership in the AGD for three (3) continuous years (36 months). *
Completion of 500 hours of FAGD-approved CE credits, with at least 350 hours earned in live course attendance. *
Successful completion of the AGD Fellowship Exam. *
Completion* and approval of a Fellowship Award application.
Attendance at an AGD Convocation Ceremony, held during the AGD Scientific Session, to receive your award. Successful candidates are allowed three years following application approval to complete this requirement.

*This requirement must be completed by Dec. 31 of the year prior to the year in which you plan to apply to receive your Fellowship Award.

I joined AGD while I was in dental school. Does that count toward my three years of continuous membership?

No, student membership in AGD does not count toward this requirement for Fellowship. Your three years of continuous active dentist membership in AGD begins no earlier than the date of your dental school graduation.

Do I have to wait until I have earned 500 CE credit hours to take the AGD Fellowship Exam?

No, you may take the exam as early as 90 days after your active dentist membership in AGD begins and before you’ve fulfilled the other two requirements for Fellowship. AGD recommends that recent graduates take the exam within their first two years of active dentist membership while they’re still familiar with test-taking and the subject material covered.

When and where can I take the exam?

The exam is available year-round at Schroeder Measurement Technology (SMT) computer testing centers throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, a paper/pencil version of the exam is offered annually at the AGD Scientific Session and at various locations in the fall immediately following the AGD Fellowship Review Course.

How do I locate a local SMT computer testing center?

To find a testing center online, visit isoqualitytesting.com. Testing appointments may be made through SMT’s registration department once a paid exam application has been received and processed by AGD Headquarters.

How many times can I take the exam in a year?

There are two different computer-based exams available annually, October through December, so you may have up to two chances in a given year. You may continue to re-test until you pass, but you may not take the same exam version twice.

How is the exam graded?

The Fellowship Exam is norm-referenced. Scores are based on the candidate’s total number of correct answers. The annually established minimum pass score indicates a level of dental knowledge appropriate for attainment of the AGD Fellowship Award.

Each year’s exam is statistically equated to the previous year’s exam, assuring the pass level is consistent so that candidates do not have to compete against one another.

How many members pass the exam the first time?

In a given year, approximately 70–75 percent of members taking the exam pass on their first attempt.

What tools are available to help me prepare for the exam?

AGD Fellowship Exam Study Guide: AGD sells multiple print and online versions of the AGD Fellowship Exam Study Guide for $96 each. Submit a completed copy of your answer sheet to receive 15 hours of CE credit. Multiple editions of the study guide may be purchased; however, CE credit will be granted only once for a maximum of 15 hours.
AGD Fellowship Review Course: The AGD Fellowship Review Course is offered annually at the AGD Scientific Session and at various locations throughout the country in the fall. The national review course is designed to provide a refresher in 17 different dental disciplines, as well as to assist members in preparing for the AGD Fellowship Exam, which they have the option to take on the day immediately following the review course. All registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the AGD Fellowship Exam Study Guide prior to attending the review course.
Local AGD constituent courses: Select AGD constituents may offer a local Fellowship Exam prep course or study group. To determine availability in your area, visit the Member Center section of the AGD website; under the “Member Connections” header, select “Connect with Your Local Constituent.”
Other study aids: Several dental review books are available through online retailers such as Amazon and eBay, including Mosby’s Review for the NBDE Part II and First Aid for the NBDE Part II. Additionally, a series of comprehensive dental flashcards are available for purchase online at www.dentaldecks.com.

Can I receive Fellowship credit for attending any live CE course?

No, to be eligible for Fellowship credit, course content must be scientific in nature and directly related to the practice of dentistry. Additionally, only courses hosted by approved program providers are eligible for Fellowship credit. Approved program providers include those accepted by the Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE) Program or those approved by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP). As an exception, however, up to 10 hours of credit may be applied toward Fellowship for approved Self-Instruction courses taken on or after July 1, 1985.

Can I receive Fellowship credit for completing a post-graduate residency program?

Yes, individuals who join AGD within four years of completing a one-year Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited General Practice Residency (GPR), Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program or dental specialty residency program may earn up to 150 hours of participation credit and up to 300 hours of credit for a two-year program.

A maximum of 450 hours of participation credit may be earned for non-concurrent completion of both program types. Credit is awarded as follows:

Current AGD member upon program completion: 100 percent of credits awarded
Join AGD within one (1) year of program completion: 100 percent of credits awarded
Join AGD within two (2) years of program completion: 75 percent of credits awarded
Join AGD within three (3) years of program completion: 50 percent of credits awarded
Join AGD within four (4) years of program completion: 25 percent of credits awarded
Join AGD four (4) or more years after program completion: 0 percent of credits awarded

To receive credit, send either a copy of your residency certificate or a letter (on official letterhead) from the director of the residency program verifying that you have completed the program. Be sure to include the beginning and ending dates of the program, along with the type of residency completed.

Can I receive Fellowship credit for teaching?

Can I receive Fellowship credit for teaching? Yes, if you have a faculty appointment at an ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or Canadian Dental Association (CDA)-accredited institution, or if you teach for an AGD PACE- or ADA CERP-approved organization, you can apply up to 150 hours of approved credit toward the award. To receive teaching credit, a verification letter from the director of the program is required. The letter should be on official letterhead and include the dates of the teaching appointment and the subject taught.

A combined maximum of 150 CE credit hours from teaching/publication activities may be applied toward Fellowship and Mastership.

Can I receive Fellowship credit for publication?

You can apply as many as 150 CE credit hours toward Fellowship and Mastership for authoring published scientific articles. To receive credit for an article that has been published, submit a copy of the article as it appears in the publication. Articles written about practice management are not eligible for credit. Credit is awarded as follows:

40 hours for scientific articles published in a refereed journal (20 hours for articles published in a non-refereed journal)
40 hours for writing a chapter of a dental textbook, up to 150 hours per textbook
10 hours for a published case report, technique paper or clinical research report in a refereed journal (five hours for articles published in a non-refereed journal)

A combined maximum of 150 CE credit hours from teaching/publication credit may be applied toward Fellowship and Mastership awards.

Can I earn the 500 CE hours required for Fellowship through teaching, publication and Self-Instruction only?

No, a minimum of 350 of the 500 total CE hours required for Fellowship must be taken through course attendance. A maximum of 150 of the 350 course attendance hours may be earned from Self-Instruction activities. A combined maximum of 150 of the required hours may be earned through teaching or publication activities.

How can I track my progress toward Fellowship?

Use your online transcripts to monitor your CE activities. The AGD Award Transcript lists all of the credits that you’ve accrued since joining AGD that are approved for Fellowship credit. To access your transcript at any time, visit the Continuing Education & Events section of the AGD website, click on “Track My CE,” then select “View My Award Transcript.”

I have registered to take the AGD Fellowship Exam. Am I automatically registered to receive the Fellowship award?

No, there are two separate applications and fees for Fellowship. The first application registers you for the Fellowship Exam. Once you have passed the exam, a Fellowship Award application will automatically be sent to you, or you can call and request an award application whenever you are ready. Your award application must be postmarked by Dec. 31 in order for you to qualify to attend the Convocation Ceremony and receive your Fellowship at the AGD Scientific Session the following summer.