Level 1 | Foundational Credential
The IAAO Certificate recognizes dentists who have completed foundational aligner orthodontic education and demonstrated their knowledge through clinical case documentation and examination.
As the entry point in the IAAO credentialing pathway, the Certificate reflects a commitment to developing the skills needed to plan and deliver aligner orthodontic treatment.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold an active dental license in good standing in their jurisdiction.
Complete the Clearly Aligned Core Competency, recognized by IAAO.
Complete at least 50 hours of qualifying aligner orthodontic education, including 10 hours of orthodontist-led education.
Complete at least 25 aligner orthodontic cases as the treating dentist.
Submit two fully documented cases for IAAO review.
Pass the IAAO Certificate written examination with a minimum score of 80%.
Applicants submit two cases that demonstrate foundational diagnostic skills, treatment planning and clinical execution. Each submission should include pretreatment records, treatment objectives, the rationale behind the plan, relevant progress documentation, final records and a brief reflection on the case.
The online examination assesses foundational knowledge of diagnosis, treatment planning, aligner biomechanics, attachments, staging, monitoring, refinements and common treatment challenges.
The examination is expected to include approximately 75 questions. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.
Each credential has its own educational and clinical requirements. The following overview outlines the progression from Certificate to Fellowship and Diplomate.
| Requirement | IAAO Certificate |
IAAO Fellowship (FIAAO) |
IAAO Diplomate (DIAAO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recognized education | Clearly Aligned™ Core Competency | Clearly Aligned™ Advanced Competency | Clearly Aligned™ Mastery Competency |
| Qualifying education | 50 hours | 150 total hours | 300 total hours |
| Orthodontist-led education | 20 hours | 40 hours | 80 hours |
| In-person education | 20 hours | 40 hours | 80 hours |
| Completed aligner cases | 50 | 100 | 200 |
| Clinical experience | No minimum | 2 years | 3 years |
| Case submissions | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Written examination | None | Online | Proctored |
| Minimum passing score | N/A | 80% | 80% |
| Oral case defense | Not required | Not required | Required |
For the full eligibility criteria and assessment details visit the page for each credential, listed below.
Establish a base of knowledge and clinical experience for continued development in aligner orthodontics.
The foundational level of the IAAO credentialing pathway recognizes dentists who have completed core aligner orthodontic education and demonstrated their knowledge through clinical case documentation and examination.
LEARN MOREThe advanced level recognizes dentists with greater clinical experience and the ability to apply aligner orthodontic principles across a broader range of cases.
Candidates demonstrate their competency through a portfolio of clinical cases and a written examination.
LEARN MOREThe highest level recognizes dentists who have demonstrated advanced clinical competency across a wide range of aligner orthodontic challenges.
Candidates must meet extensive clinical experience requirements and complete advanced case submissions, a written examination, an oral case defense and an approved professional contribution.
LEARN MORE
Doctors interested in pursuing an IAAO credential should begin by identifying the credential level that best matches their current education and clinical experience. Candidates can then complete the applicable Clearly Aligned™ educational pathway, confirm that the clinical experience requirements have been met, and prepare the required case portfolio for submission.
Current application forms, credentialing timelines, assessment dates, documentation standards, and fees are provided through the IAAO credentialing process.
Candidates are encouraged to review the current requirements before beginning a formal application.
No. Clearly Aligned™ education satisfies the educational component of the pathway.
Candidates must also meet the clinical experience, case submission, examination, and other assessment requirements for the credential they are pursuing.
At this time, no. The Clearly Aligned™ curriculum is the exclusive recognized educational pathway for IAAO credentialing.
The IAAO may establish additional recognized pathways in the future.
Cases may count when they meet the current IAAO eligibility, documentation requirements, and were personally treated under the candidate's professional responsibility.
Detailed eligibility standards are provided in the application materials.
No. The completed-case requirement demonstrates clinical experience.
Only the prescribed number of cases must be formally submitted for credential review.
The purpose is to demonstrate breadth of clinical competency.
Higher credentials should show that a doctor can apply aligner orthodontic principles across different malocclusions, age groups, and biomechanical challenges rather than only within one narrow type of treatment.
Yes. DIAAO is the highest clinical credential in the IAAO pathway and requires advanced education, substantial clinical experience, a broad case portfolio, comprehensive written examination, oral case defense, and an approved professional contribution.
No. IAAO credentials recognize achievement in aligner orthodontic education and clinical competency. They do not confer specialty status/registration, or certification by a recognized dental specialty board.
Credential holders remain responsible for complying with the professional advertising and title rules in every jurisdiction where they practise.
Credential holders may use the applicable IAAO designation where permitted by the laws, regulations, and professional advertising standards of their jurisdiction.
Each dentist is responsible for confirming local requirements before using any post-nominal credential publicly.
Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.