Ask five people, ‘How long does it take to become a doctor?’ and chances are you’ll get five different answers. They’d all be right too! Exactly how long it will take you to become a doctor depends on the specialty you choose.
Overall, you can expect to spend minimum 10 to 12 years to complete your education and training before you start practice. Residency training can vary from 3 to 7 years with some specialties requiring more intensive training than others. This component of medical training is what ultimately determines how long it will take you to become a doctor.
Steps To Becoming To A Doctor
The path to becoming a doctor is long and rigorous. It requires several years of hard work and commitment to complete all the requirements and qualify for licensure, which is a mandatory requirement to practice. If you’re considering becoming a doctor, be prepared to spend at least 10 to 12 years studying and training for this role. Add another 1 to 3 years to your training if you choose to pursue a fellowship after residency to specialize further.
These are the key steps to becoming a doctor. It includes completing your basic and advanced education, training, exams, residency, and obtaining licensure, which allows you to practice.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step to becoming a doctor. This will take you four years to complete as a full-time student. Although your specific major doesn’t matter, you will need to complete certain prerequisite courses to qualify for medical school. While the specific course requirements can vary among medical schools, the vast majority require applicants to complete these prerequisites:
- Biology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physics
- English
- Social Sciences
- Mathematics
Some medical schools also require applicants to complete courses in Biochemistry, Humanities, or Genetics.
Completing a four-year degree course with prerequisites will provide you with a solid foundation for the advanced medical training to follow.
Step 2: Pass the MCAT
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, you must take and ace the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is required to apply for most schools in the United States. The MCAT is a standardized test administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It assesses your problem-solving and critical thinking skills and tests your understanding of medical school prerequisite subjects.
The MCAT is a multi-section interdisciplinary exam that lasts approximately 7 hours 30 minutes with breaks. It includes these four sections:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
According to a report published by the AAMC, the average MCAT score for students who got into US MD-granting medical schools for the 2023-2024 academic year was 511.7. Aim to beat this score to improve your chances of acceptance.
Step 3: Enroll in Medical School and Earn Your Medical Degree
Applying to medical school is highly competitive but if you’ve completed your prerequisites, maintained a high GPA, and aced the MCAT, you’re chances of getting in are good. When shortlisting potential schools to apply to, don’t overlook these reputable medical schools that are easy to get into. This is especially important if you’ve fallen short of the target grade or score that some of the more competitive schools are looking for.
Med school lasts four years and focuses on general medicine. You’ll spend the first couple of years learning anatomy, pharmacology, and medical ethics in classroom settings and labs. The later years include hands-on, supervised practical training in clinics and hospitals, as well as rotations in areas such as internal medicine and pediatrics where you will learn to diagnose and treat patients in these settings.
Step 4: Pass the Initial Steps of the USMLE
After completing two years of medical school training, you are eligible to answer Step 1 of the two-part U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Part 1 of the USMLE tests your knowledge and comprehension of basic sciences and is the first step on your journey to medical licensure.
You answer Step 2 of the USMLE in your 4th year of medical school. This is a 2-day test that focuses on clinical sciences and patient-centered skills.
Step 5: Choose Your Medical Specialty
You can choose your medical specialty in your fourth year of medical school but only after completing and passing the first two steps of the USMLE. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), also known as the Match, is an independent, non-profit organization that helps fourth-year medical students make informed decisions about their choice of medical specialty. The NRMP also helps place medical school graduates into residency and fellowship programs.
If you aspire to pursue a highly competitive medical specialty such as orthopedic surgery or ophthalmology, you should consider participating in specialty-specific matching programs. This will help increase your chances of getting into your chosen residency.
Step 6: Complete Your Residency Program
Completing residency training in your chosen specialty is mandatory. Medical residency programs provide in-depth practical training and experience in a specific area of medicine. During your residency, you’ll hone your knowledge and practice in your chosen specialty as you work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians.
A medical residency program can vary in duration from 3 years to 7 years, depending on the specialty. For example, residency in pediatrics or internal medicine usually takes 3 years, On the other hand, residencies in specialties such as surgery or radiation oncology can take about 5 years. Your residency training can take up to 9 years to complete if you plan to become board-certified in your specialty.
Step 7: Complete the Last Step of the USMLE Requirements
After completing the first year of residency, you’ll be eligible to take Step 3 of the USMLE. This is the final exam in the USMLE sequence and evaluates whether you are ready to practice general medicine unsupervised, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings. After passing Step 3 of the USMLE, you can apply for medical licensure in your state.
Step 8: Apply for Medical Licensure
To practice as a physician, you must apply for a medical license in the state you wish to practice. This is because, in addition to assessing licensing exam scores, medical licensing boards also conduct background checks.
Specific licensing requirements vary from one state to another. Contact your state medical board to find out specific licensing requirements.
In general, to qualify for licensing in any state, you must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate from an accredited medical school
- Complete residency in your medical specialty
- Pass either the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for MDs or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) for DOs
Obtaining your license marks your transition from medical student to practicing physician.
Step 9: Obtain Board Certification Within Your Medical Specialty or Subspecialty
Although it is not a legal requirement to practice, earning board certification in your specialty demonstrates advanced expertise and underscores your proficiency in a specific area of medicine. As a board-certified practitioner, you will benefit from recognition as an expert in your field, potential for higher salaries in all settings, and additional career advancement opportunities. Some hospitals only hire physicians who are board certified.
Obtaining board certification involves passing oral and written examinations in your discipline. You can apply for board certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Board of Physician Specialties, or the American Osteopathic Association.
How Much Does Medical School Cost?
The average total cost of medical school is $235,827. Considering it takes 4 years to complete medical school, that’s an average annual cost of $58,968 in tuition costs.
When calculating the total cost of medical school, it’s important to consider all other costs too such as test fees, application fees, cost of textbooks, and cost of medical instruments.
Fortunately, there are resources available to help medical school students get the financial aid they need to cover any funding gaps after exhausting their personal savings. Start by exploring scholarships and grants, that you don’t have to pay back. Many medical schools offer merit scholarships and need-based grants to eligible medical students. Contact different schools’ financial aid offices to find out their eligibility requirements and application formalities.
Many medical associations and nonprofit organizations also offer various forms of financial aid to help medical students cover their cost of tuition. Three great associations that offer scholarships and grants to medical students are the American Medical Association, the American Medical Women’s Association, and the American Podiatric Medical Association.
When looking for financial aid to pay for medical school, don’t overlook the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing this application could qualify you for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. Your FAFSA application may also qualify you for scholarships, grants, and loans offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and your state of residence.
