AAO member categories, and basic eligibility requirements* are as follows:
- Active – An orthodontist who has completed the full curriculum of an ADA/CDA-accredited orthodontic program in the U.S. or Canada (includes full-time academicians in the U.S. and Canada).
- Life Active – An Active member who has 30 or more years of cumulative membership in the AAO (excluding student membership) and is 65 years of age or higher.
- Academic (non-U.S./Canada graduates) – An orthodontist who has completed a graduate orthodontic program outside the U.S. and Canada, and is employed full-time at an ADA/CDA-accredited dental or orthodontic program in the U.S. or Canada.
- Student – A student who has been accepted, and/or enrolled as a full-time student in an ADA/CDA-accredited orthodontic program in the U.S. or Canada; or has completed the full curriculum of an orthodontic program, and been accepted, and/or enrolled as a full-time student in an advanced educational program at an ADA/CDA-accredited educational institution (includes formal fellowship training).
- Service – A military service member or civilian employee of the U.S. or Canadian government who is a practicing orthodontist or commander, and has completed the full curriculum of an ADA/CDA-accredited orthodontic program in the U.S. or Canada.
- Retired – A retired orthodontist who has been an active, service or international AAO member for at least 15 cumulative years (excluding student membership) and was a member in good standing at the time of retirement.
- International – An orthodontist who has completed an accredited orthodontic program, practices outside the U.S. and Canada, and is a member in good standing of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO). WFO membership is not required for graduates of an ADA/CDA-accredited orthodontic program in the U.S. or Canada.
- International Student – A student who has been accepted, and/or enrolled as a full-time student in an orthodontic program outside the U.S. and Canada, and is a student member in good standing of the WFO.