FAGD and MAGD are the two main continuing education awards from the Academy of General Dentistry. FAGD means Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. MAGD means Master of the Academy of General Dentistry. This post compares them using the AGD’s own pages, read on October 26, 2026. The AGD sets the rules, and they change, so check its guidelines before you plan.
What is the difference between FAGD and MAGD?
Fellowship is the first award and Mastership is the second. Fellowship needs 500 approved CE hours and a passed exam. Mastership needs 1,100 approved CE hours and has no exam. The AGD calls Mastership “the highest level of achievement for members” on its awards page.
Both awards belong to the Academy of General Dentistry, the group behind the AGD designations. A member who passes the Fellowship track earns FAGD, and the Fellowship term names the award. The Mastership track leads to MAGD.
How do the requirements compare?
| Point | Fellowship (FAGD) | Mastership (MAGD) |
|---|---|---|
| AGD membership | Three continuous years | Three continuous years |
| License | Not suspended or revoked in the past five years; no current probation | Same rule |
| Exam | Pass the AGD Fellowship Exam | No exam |
| Approved CE hours | 500 | At least 1,100 |
| Participation hours | Not a separate line on the page | At least 400 |
| Subject minimums | Not listed on the page | At least 600 hours must meet minimums in specific disciplines |
| Application fee (2026) | $860 | $930 |
| Convocation | Attend the AGD Convocation Ceremony | Attend the AGD Convocation Ceremony |
Source for the table: AGD Awards and Recognition page and Mastership FAQs, read October 26, 2026.
Both awards count only hours earned as an AGD member. The hours must come from organizations approved through the PACE program or the ADA’s CERP. For the full CE picture, read the dental continuing education pillar.
How does the Fellowship exam work?
The AGD says a member can pass the Fellowship Exam at any time as a member. It also says the member does not need to complete 500 CE hours before taking the exam. The AGD offers a two-day Fellowship Review Course at its Scientific Session, with the option to take the exam right after. It also sells a study guide of 100 practice questions.
Mastership has no exam. Its test is the volume and range of approved continuing education.
How do the hours overlap?
The first 500 hours count for both. The AGD says a member does not need to take 1,100 hours after Fellowship. The total is 1,100 approved hours as a member, and in most cases the first 500 hours that apply to Fellowship also apply to Mastership.
The AGD FAQ adds that a member who earns more than 500 hours before applying does not lose them. Hours keep adding up as a continuum.
What are the deadlines and ceremony rules?
Both awards use the same calendar. The AGD says to submit the application and the fee by December 31 to be considered for the class that follows the deadline. Members must log in with their AGD Member ID. Successful candidates then attend the AGD Convocation Ceremony at the Scientific Session, and they have three years after approval to do so. The AGD says awardees can register for free general meeting registration and a free ticket to the Convocation Celebration in the year they receive the award.
The AGD also runs an Award Navigator. It reviews a member’s transcript and maps the remaining requirements, at no cost to AGD members.
What is LLSR?
LLSR is the Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition. The AGD says Masters can earn it to show their commitment to lifelong learning and service to the community or to organized dentistry. It sits after Mastership. This post does not cover its point system, so read the AGD guidelines before you plan for it.
What changes in 2026 and 2029?
Two changes are in the AGD notices. Effective January 1, 2026, a student member can apply up to 100 CE hours to Fellowship, up from 50. Effective January 1, 2029, Mastership applicants must complete 12 participation hours in Sleep Medicine, and minimums in eight existing subject areas change. See AGD Mastership requirements for the detail.
What happens if membership lapses?
The AGD FAQ says a member who earned Fellowship keeps the right to use the designation while keeping membership. A former Fellow who rejoins after a lapse can use the designation again and begin working toward Mastership. Only hours earned as a member count, so a lapse can leave a gap in the record.
How do the awards connect to a study group?
A study club is a group of dentists who learn together. The AGD FAQ says only courses hosted by approved program providers count toward these awards, so check a club’s approval before you count its hours. The guide to dental study clubs explains how clubs work.
Next step
The AGD Fellowship and Mastership guide covers the full path in more detail. Contact Dr. Copeland about study club topics. Dr. Jon Copeland, DDS, a general dentist in Wildwood, Missouri, holds a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry (2024).
Frequently asked questions
What does FAGD stand for?
FAGD stands for Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. The AGD gives the Fellowship Award to members who meet its membership, exam and CE requirements. The AGD says a member who earns Fellowship may use the designation while keeping membership.
Do you need Fellowship before Mastership?
The AGD FAQ lists current Fellowship among the Mastership requirements. The same FAQ says the first 500 hours that count toward Fellowship also count toward Mastership. Read the AGD guidelines to see how the two awards connect for your record.
Which award costs more to apply for?
As of 2026, the AGD lists a $860 application fee for Fellowship and a $930 application fee for Mastership. Other costs, such as courses and the review course, are separate. Confirm fees on the AGD page.
Terms on this page
Sources
- AGD: Awards and Recognition
- AGD: Awards and Recognition (Fellowship hours)
- AGD: Awards and Recognition (Fellowship fee)
- AGD: Mastership requirements
- AGD: Mastership FAQs
- AGD: Awards and Recognition (2026 change)
Written by Copeland Consulting Services and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Rules, data and guidance change, so check the linked page before you act on it.