--- title: "FAGD vs MAGD: what each AGD award means and requires" description: "FAGD is the AGD Fellowship and MAGD is the AGD Mastership. Compare hours, exam, fees and membership rules side by side, using AGD pages read in 2026." url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/fagd-vs-magd publisher: Copeland Consulting Services email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact --- # FAGD vs MAGD: what each AGD award means and requires FAGD is Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. It needs three years of membership, 500 approved CE hours and a passed exam. MAGD is Mastership. It needs 1,100 approved CE hours, 400 of them in participation courses, and has no exam. The first 500 Mastership hours also count toward Fellowship. Continuing educationPublished October 26, 20264 min read 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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/academy-of-general-dentistry), the group behind the [AGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/agd) designations. A member who passes the Fellowship track earns [FAGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fagd), and the [Fellowship](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fellowship-agd) term names the award. The [Mastership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mastership-agd) track leads to [MAGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/pace) program or the ADA’s CERP. For the full CE picture, read the [dental continuing education pillar](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-continuing-education). ## 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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-study-clubs) explains how clubs work. ## Next step The [AGD Fellowship and Mastership guide](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/agd-fellowship-and-mastership) covers the full path in more detail. [Contact Dr. Copeland about study club topics](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=study-club). 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 - [Academy of General Dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/academy-of-general-dentistry) - [Continuing education](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/continuing-education) - [Organized dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/organized-dentistry) - [Fellowship (AGD)](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fellowship-agd) - [Mastership (AGD)](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mastership-agd) - [Study club](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/study-club) - [FAGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fagd) - [MAGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/magd) - [PACE](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/pace) - [ADA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ada) ## Sources 1. [AGD: Awards and Recognition](https://www.agd.org/education/awards-recognition/agd-awards-and-recognition) 2. [AGD: Awards and Recognition (Fellowship hours)](https://www.agd.org/education/awards-recognition/agd-awards-and-recognition) 3. [AGD: Awards and Recognition (Fellowship fee)](https://www.agd.org/education/awards-recognition/agd-awards-and-recognition) 4. [AGD: Mastership requirements](https://www.agd.org/education/awards-recognition/agd-awards-and-recognition/awards-and-recognition/mastership-requirements) 5. [AGD: Mastership FAQs](https://www.agd.org/education/awards-recognition/agd-awards-and-recognition/agd-mastership-faqs) 6. [AGD: Awards and Recognition (2026 change)](https://www.agd.org/education/awards-recognition/agd-awards-and-recognition) 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. ## Keep reading - [AGD Fellowship and Mastership: requirements, hours and the path between themAGD Fellowship (FAGD) needs three continuous years of AGD membership, 500 approved CE hours, a passed exam and a convocation visit. Mastership (MAGD) needs Fellowship plus 1,100 total approved hours, 400 of them hands-on. Both require an application by December 31. Details come from AGD pages checked in October 2026.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/agd-fellowship-and-mastership) - [Dental continuing education: Missouri rules, AGD awards, study clubs and CE formatsMissouri dentists must complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least 40 hours tied directly to patient treatment, health and safety. Hours are reported through CE Broker. Beyond the license rule, the AGD sets separate award goals: 500 approved hours for Fellowship and 1,100 for Mastership.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-continuing-education) - [AGD Mastership requirements: hours, fees and steps (2026)The AGD Mastership Award requires three continuous years of AGD membership, a license in good standing, at least 1,100 approved CE hours with at least 400 in participation courses, an application, and attendance at the AGD Convocation. There is no Mastership exam. The AGD lists a $930 fee as of 2026.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/agd-mastership-requirements) - [Dental study clubs: what they are, how to join one and how to start oneA dental study club is a group of dental professionals who meet regularly to discuss real cases and learn together. Some are run by national education networks, some are organized locally by alumni of a course, and some are informal. Credit for fellowship or mastership requires an approved provider.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-study-clubs) - [Implant dentistry in general practice: training paths and what the literature saysGeneral dentists who want implant training can look at continuing education, society credentials and accredited residencies. Each path has its own published requirements, and a credential is not a license. This guide summarizes those paths from their official pages and two published studies. It gives no clinical advice.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/implants-in-general-practice) - [Organized dentistry: how the ADA, state and local societies fit togetherOrganized dentistry is the system of dental societies at three levels: local component, state constituent and the national American Dental Association. The ADA calls this the tripartite structure. Most U.S. dentists join through their state society, and one membership covers all three levels. Costs for state and local dues vary by location.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/organized-dentistry-guide) ## Talk with Dr. Copeland [Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)