AAOA Fellow Exam

The AAOA’s voting membership is comprised of ABOtoHNS certified/eligible physicians who have demonstrated competence and qualifications through their residency training and board certification. AAOA Fellows are AAOA Members who have supplemented their otolaryngology training through AAOA CME Courses and demonstrated their enhanced expertise by passing the AAOA Fellow Examination.

An AAOA Fellow may define her/himself as a Fellow of the AAOA with ABMS-certification in otolaryngology, the scope of which includes the diagnosis and management of allergy of the aerodigestive tract.

Candidates must meet the criteria to sit for the exam prior to applying. For those interested in attaining AAOA Fellow status, the 2027 Fellow Exam will be held in two parts: an online written exam and an oral exam.

• Certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AOBOOHNS)

• Member of the AAOA for a minimum of one (1) year

• Attendance at 1 complete AAOA Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology within the past five (5) years

• Attendance at 1 complete AAOA Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology or the Explorers Course within the past five (5) years

• Attendance at 1 complete AAOA Annual Meeting within the past five (5) years

• Attendance at 1 additional AAOA–sponsored CME program within the past five (5) years, learn more here

• Attestation of primary treatment of ten (6) immunotherapy patients who have been on immunotherapy for at least 6 months

• Completed AAOA Fellow Exam application & fee by June 1st

• Payment of $950

• The written portion of the 2026 AAOA Fellow Exam is a 120-question test that covers a broad range of topics important to the practice of otolaryngic allergy.

Written Exam

AAOA Fellow candidates are required to pass the written portion of the exam by Monday, July 31 to be eligible to sit for the oral portion. While the test is not timed, you are required to complete it in one sitting.

Candidates will be allowed three attempts to pass the written exam.

Candidates may use any resources deemed necessary, but the exam must be completed solely by the candidate. 

While outside resources are permitted on the written portion of the AAOA Fellow Exam, be mindful that they will not be on the oral portion.  As such, be mindful of areas for further study.

Oral Exam

The oral exam will be held via Zoom in the Fall.  Each candidate will have to go through 3 oral protocols, each lasting a maximum of 20 minutes. This is set up in Zoom as breakout rooms, so you'll go in and out of these rooms, each having a different protocol assigned. We expect the exam to take, with check-in and transition, about 1.5 hours. Please note you MUST have your camera on and provide a photo ID to be able to take the test. 

Maintaining AAOA Fellow status requires active membership and is contingent upon the attendance at 2 AAOA-sponsored courses or meetings during each subsequent 5–year cycle from the date Fellow status is granted.

Contact the AAOA at 202-955-5010 or [email protected] if you have any questions about the Fellow Exam.