To ensure the reputation and recognition of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) brand, partners and members in good standing have a set of guidelines for appropriate licensed use of AAOS logos.

Logo Use for Members

Only the AAOS and its members may use the AAOS logos. Limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable usage rights of the logos are granted to AAOS members in good standing pursuant to the rules set forth by the AAOS.  A member’s license to use the logos automatically terminates if, for any reason, the individual ceases to be an AAOS member in good standing.

Members in good standing are members whose dues payments are current and have not been suspended or expelled from the AAOS as a result of compliance-related matters. Questions regarding membership status should be directed to the membership team at members@aaos.org.

Use of the logo for members in good standing includes business cards, stationery, letterheads and practice-related websites. Members are also permitted to use the AAOS logo as a link from the physician/practice website to the AAOS website. The Branding team should be notified of intended use of the AAOS logo by members in good standing, to ensure the logo is used properly.

Orthopaedic surgeons who hold membership with the AAOS are also licensed to use the Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS) designation in connection with their name and the name of their practice to identify themselves as fellows of the AAOS. The creators of the FAAOS logo received permission from the branding team to alter the core signature. For more information on use of the FAAOS designation, visit www.aaos.org/faaos.

Collateral use of a logo by a non-member, such as a journalist naming a member in a news article, is acceptable without the AAOS' written permission provided that the non-member's use of the correct logo only refers to membership in the AAOS and does not indicate or imply that the non-member is a member or that the AAOS endorses, sponsors or approves of a good, service or idea.

Incorrect Logo Usage

The AAOS logo, including the wordmark, cannot be used as a part of a sentence or headline. In such cases, the un-stylized letters, “AAOS” or fully spelled out words may be used.

Use of the AAOS Small Space Logo is permitted when attached to a product or program supported by the AAOS using "by" as a connecting word.

Misuse of the AAOS logo by a non-member will result in the individual receiving a communication from the AAOS requesting that they immediately stop using the logo without authorization.

Misuse of the AAOS logo by a member will result in the individual receiving a communication from the AAOS with instructions on how to correct the misuse and a deadline for making the required correction.

Appropriate Use: When to Use Academy or Association

Our logo is the primary identifier for the AAOS. These four letters (AAOS) unite the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. When describing the organization as a whole, and when referring to members and/or the Board of Directors, please use the phrase “AAOS.”

Sometimes, we need to be more specific and determine the most appropriate wordmark, trademark, service logo, core signature and/or logo treatment to accurately represent the AAOS, the Academy or Association.

501(c) organizations: Under federal tax law, there are 29 types of 501(c) not for profit organizations in the US – some are exempt from taxation others are not.  The purpose of 501(c) not for profit status is to benefit the public (i.e., be charitable) instead of generating profits that benefit specific individuals or entities (e.g., corporations like Apple or Coca Cola).

The Academy is a 501c3. Its charitable purpose is to benefit the public primarily through educational activities. The goal is to educate orthopaedic surgeons, patients and the public on MSK health topics.

The Association is a 501c6. Its charitable purpose is to benefit the membership, more like a guild or trade association.  Its goals include providing products and services that benefit members and their practices and advocating for their interests on legislative and regulatory matters. 

It is important that all correspondence, communication and collateral that interacts with the public clearly indicate whether it is coming from the Academy or the Association by the use of the appropriate logo.

When deciding whether to use the Academy, Association or dual logo in branding, refer to the following guidelines:

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