How to become a Physician
To work as a physician, there are several steps you must take to qualify for this role:
- Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college. There are no specific requirements for the degree you need to complete, but pre-medicine and the biological sciences are excellent choices for majors, along with coursework in maths and social sciences.
- Pass the Medical College Admission Test exam. You will need to register for and pass this standardized, multiple-choice examination to gain admission to a medical school.
- Apply to medical school by using the American Medical College Application Service, which distributes a single application to each school that you wish to apply for.
- Complete a four-year program of full-time study at medical school that includes classroom theory and supervised clinical rotations in various areas of medicine.
- Pass the three-part United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Passing the first part is necessary to enter the third year of study at medical school. Complete the second part in the fourth year.
- Complete a three-year graduate medical residency.
- Pass the final part of the USMLE exam that covers clinical management.
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Typical qualifications for a Physician
Certificates and licenses
About Medical License
A license to practice as a physician, awarded by the state upon passing a medical licensing board examination. Requires graduation from medical school and postgraduate training.
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About Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
A certification awarded by an organization or association such as the American Heart Association or the Red Cross, upon completing a three hour CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) class.
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About Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification
Certification awarded after completion of training in conjunction with CPR training by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
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About Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certification
A certification assigned to a healthcare provider by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration permitting a provider to write prescriptions for controlled substances. A current medical license from the state in which the provider practices is required.
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Skills employers are looking for
About Medical office experience
Experience working in a medical office, typically with administrative duties.
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About Intake
Experience with intake assessments, including obtaining and reviewing prior medical records, performing patient intake interviews, and managing new patient forms.
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About Medical records
Experience or skills related to working with medical or patient records.
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Career progression for Physician
Education levels for Physicians
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 4.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or GED | 2.0% |
| Master's degree | 1.0% |
| Associate's degree | 0.0% |
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $50,000 |
| 4 - 8 | $46,500 |
| 8 - 12 | $52,400 |
| 12 - 16 | $57,100 |
| 16 - 20 | $59,500 |
| 20 - 24 | $70,200 |
