Levels of Membership 2002
This document is meant only as an overview of the requirements. Details and application for each level may be obtained from the Academy's Central Office

In order to maintain a high standard of professional recognition, the American Academy and Board of Craniofacial Pain have established five levels of professional accomplishment for the TMJ practitioner. Membership levels are:

Associate, Member, Fellowship-Eligible, Fellow and Diplomate.

The Associate level has been reserved for Healthcare Practitioners who are not dentists.

All dentists enter the Academy as Members. In order to become a Member, one must possess a Dental degree from an accredited university or college and must be licensed by the state in which he/she practices.

Fellowship-Eligible status may be granted to applicants who meet the following requirements: graduate of an accredited dental school and hold a current license in said profession; spent a minimum of 2 years treating head, neck, craniofacial pain and TMJ disorders; treated a minimum of 100 patients with head, neck, craniofacial pain and TMJ disorders; taken a minimum of 200 hours of continuing education courses specifically related to head, neck, craniofacial pain and TMJ disorders; obtained the sponsorship of two individuals who hold Fellowship or Diplomate status in the Academy. A signed and notarized affidavit attesting to these requirements and agreeing to provide access to records will also be necessary.

Members wishing to apply for Fellowship status must submit the following credentials: spent the immediate past 5 years in treating head, neck, craniofacial pain and TMJ disorders; treated a minimum of 300 head, neck, craniofacial pain and TMJ patients; advanced study and training in the field which consists of successful completion of at least 2 or more academic years of graduate study in an ADA accredited dental school program OR a minimum of 500 hours (250 within the immediate past 5 years) of continuing education courses in the field; sponsorship by two Academy Fellows or Diplomates (not the same two who sponsored the applicant earlier). When applying for Fellowship status, the TMJ practitioner must pass rigid written and oral examinations. Pre-registration is required and payment of an exam fee (currently $750.00) must also be sent to the Central Office. Again, a signed and notarized affidavit and access to records is required.

Diplomate status requires treatment of 500 head, neck, craniofacial pain and TMJ patients and 1000 hours of approved CE courses. Before applying for Diplomate status, one must hold Fellowship status for at least 2 years. Applicants for Diplomate status must also have authored a scientific paper on TMD or a related subject and said article must have been published in a refereed journal; must have presented a lecture of at least thirty minutes to an AACP National Meeting; and is required to submit and defend (before a committee of Board Members) the diagnostic and treatment approach employed in four cases which applicant has personally treated. Applicant must also pass an examination (written or oral to be determined by the Board) and must be sponsored by 2 current Diplomates. Application fee for Diplomate status is presently $300.00. A signed and notarized affidavit, available from the Central Office, is also required.

All dentists enter the Academy as Members. Only after acceptance into the Academy, can a dentist apply for other levels. Certain items of documentation are to accompany the signed and notarized affidavits mentioned above. Names (or initials) of each patient should be listed as documentation of completed cases. Continuing education hours are to be listed showing date, location, title and the instructor and/or sponsor of each course. If a composite listing is used (i.e.: a printout from the AGD), CE hours to be considered must be indicated in an obvious manner. The required paperwork is to be submitted to the Central Office complying with pre-announced deadlines.

The Academy's Credentialing Committee and the Board of Directors will make the final decision regarding validity and acceptance of submitted records.