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AAO SPECIALIZED ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT® CERTIFICATION

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Suspension of the Specialized Orthodontic Assistant® (SOA) Voluntary Certification Program

After careful consideration, our Council on Orthodontic Practice has made the decision to suspend this voluntary program effective August 27, 2025, while we conduct a comprehensive review to ensure it continues to meet the highest professional credentialing standards for orthodontic assistants. We want the program to reflect the evolving needs of our profession and to align with updated best practices. This suspension will allow us to:

  • Review program content and assessment methods.
  • Explore integration with existing and/or emerging professional credentialing standards.
  • Gather feedback from stakeholders.

We expect to complete our review by June 2026 and will share updates on the program’s relaunch or redesign at that time.

Questions? Email [email protected].

Questions about the Specialized Orthodontic Assistant® certification?

We’re here to help staff members throughout the certification process. If you have questions about the SOA certification, contact [email protected].

Prepare

Learn about criteria for certification and equip yourself with all the essentials to prepare. Our AAO-Endorsed Training Program will even provide the foundational knowledge you need to excel on the test.

Test

Ready to take the test?  Simply complete the program application, register an account, and pay the registration fee.  For questions about the test process or how to become SOA Certified, please contact [email protected].

Submit

It’s time to become a Specialized Orthodontic Assistant. Once you have your test results and the other required documentation, you are ready to submit to the AAO for final approval and certification.

Renew

The AAO is here to help you maintain your SOA certification year after year. Renewal not only maintains your SOA certification, it demonstrates your ongoing commitment to the specialty, your practice, and excellence in patient care. If you need additional CE to submit your renewal, our CE Passport connects you to over 500 hours of on-demand and live CE.