While the term 'doctor' can be used for anyone with a doctoral degree, we usually use it for those who are medical doctors.
Medical doctors are responsible for caring for, diagnosing, and treating patients. To become a medical doctor, you'll need specific education and training.
Keep reading for our step-by-step guide to becoming a doctor.
Steps to Become a Doctor
To become a doctor, you'll need to go through several years of education, training, and testing before you can obtain a license to practice.
Below, we've outlined each step you need to take to become a doctor.
1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Before you can begin your medical studies, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees are undergraduate degrees that typically take four years to earn.
No specific major is required but most medical schools will require that students have taken certain courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics.
Students start medical school with a wide range of undergraduate majors, but the majority major in biological sciences.
Some colleges and universities offer pre-med programs that help ensure students meet medical school prerequisites regardless of their major. However, these programs are not obligatory.
You'll also want to choose courses or a major that will help you excel on the Medical College Admissions Test. You should be studying for this test while in your bachelor's program.
2. Take the Medical College Admissions Test
The Medical College Admissions Test, frequently called the MCAT, is a standardized, multiple-choice test offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Nearly all medical schools in the United States and many in Canada require you to submit your MCAT score in your medical school application.
The test is broken into four individual sections:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Systems: 59 questions, 95 minutes
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 59 questions, 95 minutes
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 59 questions, 95 minutes
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): 53 questions, 90 minutes
All sections are given a score from 118-132, for an overall total of 472-528. The average MCAT score is 500. A good score is generally considered to be at least 511.
If you aren't happy with your score, you can retake the MCAT. You can take the exam up to three times in one year or seven times in your lifetime.
3. Apply to Medical School
Once you're happy with your MCAT score, you can begin applying to medical school.
The requirements to get into medical schools can vary. Generally, these include specific courses and letters of recommendation.
You may also be asked to complete a secondary application. This typically includes essay prompts to help the school learn more about who you are.
If the medical school considers you a good candidate, you may be asked for an interview. This gives them a chance to meet you and learn whether you would be a good fit for their program.
The AAMC offers several tools to help applicants, like the American Medical College Application Service (MCAS) and the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) online database.
4. Attend and Graduate From Medical School
Now that you've been accepted to medical school, you get to start your medical training. Most medical schools take four years to complete.
Typically, you'll spend your first year or two of medical school in didactic training, which is standard coursework and lectures like what you had in your undergraduate program.
The next few years will be primarily spent in clinical rotations. This allows students to rotate through various departments and learn in real clinical settings.
Most medical schools will have set clinical rotations that you must complete, such as anesthesia, OBGYN, and surgery.
Many medical schools also allow you to choose a certain number of clinical experiences, so you can be sure that you'll get a rotation in whatever specialty you're interested in.
5. Pass the First Two Steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination
Once you've begun medical school, you'll be eligible to take the first two steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
This is a three-step exam that is required before you can earn your medical license. The first two steps can be taken while still in medical school.
The first step covers your knowledge of foundational medical science, while the second assesses your knowledge of clinical medicine.
You won't be able to take the third step until you've completed at least a year of post-graduate training.
6. Complete a Residency Program
After you graduate with your medical degree, you'll participate in a residency program. Medical residency is a period of post-graduate training in your chosen specialty.
Residency programs are available in almost all medical specialties, although some specialties are more common than others.
Your residency can last from three to seven years depending on the specialty. Surgery specialties usually take the longest, while family medicine and pediatrics take less time.
Residency programs are often a mix of didactic learning and hands-on learning in a clinical setting.
You'll usually begin as an 'intern' with easy tasks and heavy supervision, and proceed to more complex tasks with reduced oversight.
7. Pass the Final Step of the USMLE and Obtain Your Physician's License
After a year in your residency program, you can take the third step of the USMLE. This portion tests your ability to apply clinical knowledge to patient management.
Once you've passed the USMLE, you can apply for a medical license in your state. State requirements vary, and most require you to have finished your residency before you can apply.
Check to see what your state requires so you can ensure you're meeting licensure requirements.
8. Complete a Fellowship
If you're interested in a subspecialty within your chosen field, you will likely need to complete a medical fellowship.
As a fellow, you'll be a licensed physician employed by the institution you're completing your fellowship at. This means you'll be earning a salary, though not as much as a specialist.
Fellowship programs usually take two to three years to complete, although it depends on your sub-specialty. Surgical programs usually take longer.
While these programs are usually a time commitment and financial burden, they often lead to high-paying specialty roles within the field.
Become a Doctor
To become a doctor, you'll need to complete a bachelor's program, medical school, and a residency. You'll also need to take several exams and may want to consider a fellowship.
While the path to becoming a doctor is long, it's very rewarding. With the steps above, you can start your journey toward a medical license today.
