Neurology is a complex field of medicine focused on the brain and nervous system. Because it's so complex, neurologists need to study for many years.
Keep reading for our step-by-step career guide, so you can learn how to become a neurologist.
What Is a Neurologist?
A neurologist is a licensed physician who focuses on disorders and issues of the brain and the nervous system.
The job duties of a neurologist may include:
- creating treatment plans for neurological conditions
- diagnosing neurological conditions
- examining patients
- performing specialized procedures, such as lumbar punctures and seizure tracking
- performing specialized tests, such as imaging tests and spinal fluid analysis
- working with other members of a patient's medical team
A majority of neurologists work in a hospital setting, but some may have their own private practice or work for a specialty neurology clinic.
Additionally, some neurologists prefer to go into research or academia, where they may work for government organizations, universities, or research facilities.
How to Become a Neurologist
To become a neurologist, you'll need to go through medical school and complete post-graduate training in neurology. We've outlined all the steps for you below.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Medical schools have specific requirements for applicants, and one of those is that you hold a bachelor's degree.
A bachelor's degree is a four-year undergraduate degree. There is no specific major required for medical school, but there are specific classes that you will need to take to get accepted.
The majority of students who go to medical school choose an undergraduate major in the biological sciences. This helps ensure they fulfill those prerequisites.
Some colleges and universities even offer pre-med programs to help students make sure they've met all the necessary course requirements for medical school.
Taking these courses also helps students prepare to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Step 2: Take the MCAT
Medical schools require students to take the MCAT before applying. The MCAT is a standardized exam offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
This exam is meant to determine your readiness for medical school.
It includes four sections:
- biological and biochemical foundations of living systems
- chemical and physical foundations of biological systems
- psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior
- critical analysis and reasoning skills
Each section is given a score ranging from 118 to 132, for a total score between 472 to 528. Generally, you'll need a score of 510 or higher to have the best chance of getting into medical school.
If you don't receive the score you want, you can retake the MCAT. You're allowed three tries in one year or a lifetime total of seven tries.
Step 3: Go to Medical School
Once you've earned your bachelor's degree, gotten a score you're happy with on the MCAT, sent in applications, and completed your med-school interviews, you finally get to start medical school.
Medical school is typically four years long. The first year is spent primarily in the classroom, while the majority of the following years are spent in clinical rotations.
While in clinical rotations, you'll get to spend a few weeks in various departments, like anesthesia, OBGYN, or surgery.
This allows you to get a firsthand look at what it's like to work in that department and to learn more about the specialty.
Most medical schools require you to fulfill specific rotations, but then allow you to choose a few of your own. This gives you a chance to spend time in the neurology department.
Step 4: Take the First Two Steps of the USMLE
In order to become a licensed physician, all states require you to pass the United States Medical License Examination (USMLE).
The USMLE is broken into three steps. Step one is a multiple-choice test designed to test your basic science knowledge, while step two assesses how well you can apply that knowledge.
You can take the first two steps once you've begun medical school. However, the final step cannot be taken until you've completed at least one year of post-graduate experience.
Step 5: Complete a Neurology Residency
Residency is a period of post-graduate study in which you focus on a specific area of medicine. To become a neurologist, you'll need to complete a neurology residency.
Typically, neurology residencies take four years. You'll spend the first year studying internal medicine, and the final three years specifically focused on neurology.
If you're going into child neurology, your program will likely be five years, with two of those spent in pediatrics and three in neurology.
During residency, you'll be working under the supervision of licensed physicians. You'll typically start with simpler tasks and progress to more complex ones.
You can find accredited post-graduate programs through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Step 6: Become a Licensed Physician
Once you've finished at least one year of residency training, you can take your final step of the USMLE.
This step assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science to the practice of medicine.
After passing this exam, you may be eligible for licensure in your state. Requirements vary between states, so check what your state requires to see if there's anything else you need.
Step 7: Consider a Neurology Fellowship
A medical fellowship is a period of time after your residency when you focus on a specific subspecialty of your field.
Not everyone needs to do a fellowship, but if you're hoping to work in a neurology subfield, you'll need to complete a residency in that field.
ACGME recognizes 10 neurology subspecialties.
These are:
- brain injury medicine
- clinical neurophysiology
- epilepsy
- neurocritical care
- neurodevelopmental disabilities
- neuroendovascular intervention
- neuromuscular medicine
- pain medicine
- sleep medicine
- vascular neurology
Become a Neurologist
To become a neurologist, you'll need to complete medical school and post-graduate training, as well as obtain your medical license.
With the steps above, you can begin your journey toward becoming a neurologist today.