AAO SPECIALIZED ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT® CERTIFICATION
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Sunsetting of the Specialized Orthodontic Assistant® (SOA) Voluntary Certification Program
Effective June 1, 2026, the AAO has discontinued the Specialized Orthodontic Assistant® Program (SOA), an education and certification program for AAO member employees. Following a comprehensive review of the program, including content, assessment methods, stakeholder feedback, and alignment with evolving professional credentialing standards, the Council on Orthodontic Practice (COOP) determined that the program would require significant redesign to meet the changing needs of the profession and current best practices.
The AAO remains committed to supporting orthodontic team education through offerings such as On-Demand CE, introductory online training for new staff, and discounted team training through AAO Endorsed Program, Trapezio. COOP also plans to explore future credentialing initiatives that better align with the needs of practice owners and today’s orthodontic workforce.
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.