7. CAREER REQUIREMENTS
Degree
Level
Medical degree
Degree
Field
Scientific background is helpful
Licensure National medical licensure required
Experience
Potential doctors must complete a residency after
completing medical school
Key Skills
Strong medical skills, dexterity to perform procedures,
stamina to make rounds, problem-solving ability,
possess patience, be meticulous, and have interpersonal
skills to communicate
8. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A DOCTOR
ALL WHO STUDY THIS CAREER KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS, AND WE MET THE FOLLOWING STEPS FOR
EXAMPLE
1 EARN BACHELOR DEGREE
THE FIRST STEP TO BECOMING A DOCTOR INVOLVES COMPLETING A FOUR-YEAR PRE-MED UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAM.
2 TAKE THE MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (MCAT)
TO GET INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL, APPLICANTS MUST FIRST TAKE THE MCAT, A STANDARDIZED, MULTIPLE-
CHOICE TEST THAT ASSESSES THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL
STUDENT.
3 COMPLETE MEDICAL SCHOOL
STUDENTS TYPICALLY SPEND FOUR YEARS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL COMPLETING COURSEWORK AND GAINING
PRACTICAL SKILLS IN LABORATORIES. MEDICAL STUDENTS MUST APPROVE THE ACADEMIC PENSUM.
4 EARN A LICENSE
ALL STATES REQUIRE PHYSICIANS TO PASS A STANDARDIZED NATIONAL EXAM. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
VARY BY STATE, THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO DETERMINE YOUR MEDICAL COMPETENCY AND TO SEE
WHETHER YOU SHOULD FORWARD YOUR EDUCATION AND ARE SUITABLE FOR LICENSURE.
5 COMPLETE A RESIDENCY
AFTER GRADUATING FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL, DOCTORATE CANDIDATES NEED TO COMPLETE A PAID
RESIDENCY, TYPICALLY AT A HOSPITAL. DEPENDING ON SPECIALIZATION, RESIDENCIES CAN LAST ANYWHERE
FROM THREE TO EIGHT YEARS.