FAQ
Certification
Application FAQ’s
When is the application deadline?
December 1 of the year prior to the exams.
How do I apply?
Visit our website at aboi.org and click on the login button. If you have previously applied, login to the portal and complete the tasks on your dashboard. If you are a new applicant, click on apply for account.
What do I need to submit if I complete a dental residency specialty program?
Please submit a copy of your certificate when applying. You’ll also be asked to enter the dates you were in residency.
Do I need to be an Associate Fellow and/or Fellow to become a Diplomate?
No, you can apply directly to becoming a Diplomate if you have the cases required for the Oral Exam and required amount of CE hours. If you are an Associate Fellow, you will receive 100 CE towards the required 670 CE. If you are an AAID Fellow, you will be exempt from the ABOI/ID Part I Written Exam and you will receive 200 CE hours towards the required 670.
Can I take Part I and Part II in the same year?
No, you must pass Part I before applying to Part II.
Can I apply for Part 2 before Part 1?
Only if you are a specialist or an AAID fellow and you are exempt from Part I.
What do I need to do to retake the Written Exam or Oral Exam?
Login to your candidate portal aboi.org and pay the current re-examination fee. You will not have to fully reapply unless the 6-year window has passed.
How many chances do I get to pass Part I & II?
3 attempts per exam within a 6-year period.
Can I use my AAID Fellow Oral Exam Cases for the ABOI/ID Oral Exam?
Yes, if the case requirements are the same and the ABOI/ID case templates are used.
Can I reuse my cases if I was unsuccessful at passing the first time?
Yes, but always check first to make sure no changes are made to the case requirements.
Do you allow a Diplomate to apply via an invitation or recommendation?
No, we do not offer invitations to doctors to become Diplomates.
Which route do I apply under if my degree is from a country other than the US or Canada, but my dental license is in the US?
You would apply under route 2.
I am in my 2nd year of a 3-year specialty residency program. Can I apply to sit for the exam after finishing the second year?
Yes, you can sit for the examination after completion of your second year with a letter from your program director stating that you have successfully done so.
International application questions:
I am an international dentist who is an AAID Fellow, will I be exempt from the written exam?
Yes, you will need to provide a copy of your AAID certificate, and you will also be awarded 200 CE credits towards 670 required CE.
Am I exempt from the Part I Written exam if I received a specialty degree in the US or Canada but am now practicing in a country outside of the US or Canada?
Yes, you will need to provide a copy of your degree at the time of applying.
Do I need to have copies of my CE certificates and degrees translated into English?
Yes, we do require that any documents at the time of application be translated into English. If not, your application will be rejected, and you will be asked to resubmit it in English.
CE FAQ’s
I have been teaching implant dentistry and wonder if those times can be applied as CE credits? If so, how can I enter it?
You may claim CE hours for programs you teach that offer CE hours; however, you can only claim them one time…. meaning, you have taught for two years, you cannot take the courses you teach and double the hours. You would enter this in the CE section of your online candidate portal.
What if the CE requirements change within the years of my exam cycle, am I subject to the CE requirements at the time of application or at the time of my Part II exam?
If you take Part I one year & the Oral Exam a different year you are subject to the CE requirements at the time of application. If, however, there happens to be changes to the Oral Exam Case requirements you would be subject to whatever those changes would be.
Is there a limit to how many online CE hours are used?
Online courses can be used for CE and there is no limit.
I have completed a 1-year AEGD program. How many CE do I receive?
You will receive 100 CE hours towards the required 670 CE.
Do I need to submit copies of my CE certificates?
Yes, and they are required.
Can I submit my AGD transcript to show CE hours?
Yes, and it is recommended. But you do not need to be an AGD member to apply.
Does it matter how long ago I accumulated the CE hours?
No, as long as you have 670 implant related hours.
What qualifies as Implant Dentistry related CE?
In addition to Implant specific CE, we also accept CE in the following subjects: Prosthetics, Bone Grafting, Soft Tissue Grafting, Restoration, Anesthesia, Occlusion (non ortho related), Anatomy, Esthetics/Cosmetic, Radiology, Physiology, CPR/Medical Emergency Training- can claim one time, Infection Control
Are there any cases that need to be submitted with CE hours?
No
Can I get credit for submitting my cases for the Oral Exam?
No, this is part of the exam.
What if I became an AAID Associate Fellow first and then went on to become an AAID Fellow? Would I receive 100 CE for the Associate Fellow and 200 CE for the Fellow?
No, you receive 200 CE hours total for being an AAID Fellow. You do not receive an additional 100.
Do CE courses during dental school count towards the required 670 CE?
Yes
Written Exam FAQ’s
Can I be exempt from the written exam if I am an international dentist?
Yes, eligibility is limited to AAID Fellows or individuals who hold a certificate from an ADA/CODA-approved program in the U.S. or a CDAC program in Canada in the fields of Oral Surgery, Periodontics, or Prosthodontics. We also accept the completion of Implant Dentistry programs from Loma Linda University or Jacksonville University.
Is there a study guide for the written exam?
No, but refer to this document with a breakdown of exam subject matter. ABOI Written Exam Test Specifications You should be familiar with current concepts as well as classical literature/ foundational knowledge upon which these concepts are based. We also encourage you to register for our annual Board Review Course. We recommend if you aren’t already an AAID member to become one for access to the JOI-Journal of Oral Implantology.
How much time is given to complete the Written Exam?
5 hours with no scheduled break. You have the option of taking a bathroom break however the clock will continue to run.
Special accommodation can be arranged. Please refer to Pearson VUE website for information and contact us directly if you need an accommodation.
How many questions and what type?
200 multiple choice questions
What is the pass rate?
Generally, 80-85% but it changes every year.
Do I need to schedule the Part I Written Exam directly with Pearson VUE?
Yes, once your ABOI/ID application is approved and your registration is complete, you will be notified when the scheduling window opens with Pearson VUE.
Oral Exam & Case FAQ’s
Can I request a specific day to take the exam?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept requests for specific oral exam dates. Please review the exam dates for the year you plan to take the exam and keep your schedule open until you receive your assigned date and time.
Can you review my photos and x-rays for my cases?
Case photos and x-rays will not be reviewed. You should follow the provided templates to the best of your ability using the materials you have available.
Do I need pre-op photos for the cases?
Yes, per the candidate case templates please include the following:
- Dates the photographs were taken.
- Suggested Views:
- Occlusal view of maxillary arch
- Occlusal view of mandibular arch
- Frontal view in Maximum Intercuspation Position (MIP)
- Left side in MIP
- Right side in MIP
I have partnered with other specialists to complete a required case. Can I still use this case and reference where specialists were used?
Yes, but please make sure to note it in your case.
Are there a required number of performed cases at the time of application?
No, there is no longer a requirement to have performed a certain number of cases.
Is there any time frame required for follow-up of these cases?
There is no time requirement on the cases… meaning cases must be completed within the last 5 years, etc. You can go as far back as you need to, however the case must be restored with the final prosthesis for a minimum of one year.
Can I submit a case that won’t be fully restored and functional for a year until a month before the exam?
No, all cases must be complete by the ABOI/ID case submission deadline date for that year.
Does ABOI/ID require record release forms for patients to sign?
No, we do not require this form. Remember it is very important to de-identify your patient for each case.
What is the list of patient maintenance history?
This is a short list including the date/s and brief description/s of patient follow-up appointments after prosthesis is placed.
What is the best way to prepare for the Oral Exam?
Attending our annual live virtual Board Review Course. We also recommend signing up for our Mock Oral Exam session held at the AAID Annual Conference.
Case 2 and 6 requirements, it mentions work in the posterior. Does that mean the patient has to have the rest of their teeth or could the posterior requirement be involved with something bigger (e.g., All-On-4)?
The posterior quadrant implies the region posterior to the maxillary 1st premolar. Implant restoration in this region should not include restorations that extend to other quadrants such as full arch fixed or over-denture (all on 4), but rather an implant supported restoration to replace missing teeth in the posterior quadrant only.
Case 2: Edentulous posterior maxilla with pneumatized maxillary sinus requiring at least 5 mm of lateral approach sinus augmentation and two (2) or more implants and its restoration.
Question: Can it be partially edentulous?
Answer: Yes. It does not have to be fully edentulous, but two or more implants need to be in graft.
Case type 6) An edentulous posterior mandible or maxillary quadrant with two (2) or more root form implants and its restoration.
Question: Does it have to be fully edentulous?
Answer: No, it does not have to be fully edentulous, but two or more implants need to be in graft.
Case 7: (Edentulous areas with more than two teeth missing and a deficient ridge requiring vertical or horizontal augmentation and the subsequent placement of two (2) or more root form implants and its restoration).
Question: Is it acceptable for the implants to be placed at the same time as the Deficient ridge horizontal augmentation?
Answer: Yes. If not, would a Maxillary Sinus lift count as a vertical Augmentation? Yes.
Question: I have a case that 14, 15 and 16 were missing and this area was restored with a lateral sinus lift, 2 implants (14 and 15) and implant crowns. Would missing 14, 15 and 16 be acceptable as more than two teeth missing?
Answer: Yes
Question: Can a sinus lift and graft count towards #7?
Answer: Yes
Board Review Course FAQ’s
Can the Board Review Course be accessed after the program?
No, this is a live virtual event, and we ask that you do not record the program.
Once I return the completed course evaluation and CE verification form, will you send me a more "official" CE certificate?
AAID is our CE provider, and they will submit your CE directly to AGD. You will also receive an official transcript letter via email either from AAID or ABOI.
Diplomate FAQ’s
Does the ABOI/ID require Diplomates to attend the AAID annual conference?
Although we encourage our Diplomates to attend, the ABOI/ID does not have a conference attendance requirement.
What happens when I semi-retire? Retire?
The annual dues are reduced to $300 for semi-retired. If fully retired, you are not subject to the annual fees but remain an active member. Please notify ABOI/ID of any status change and update to your contact information.
How can I become an examiner for the Oral Exam?
To serve as an examiner, you must be a Diplomate for at least three years and remain in good standing with the ABOI/ID.
If you are interested, please complete and submit the examiner application through your ABOI/ID account between June 1 and August 15. Applications are reviewed and selected by the Oral Exam Committee, and those recommendations are presented to the Board for final approval. The number of examiners selected is based on the total number of candidates for the year.