Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

• Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
• Medicine
• Surgery of the Hand Fellowship Program

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

First professional degree

In addition to requiring a bachelor’s degree, physicians and surgeons typically need either a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.

Insider Info

Additional Information

Orthopedic surgeons complete up to 14 years of formal education:

• Four years of study in a college or university
• Four years of medical school
• Five years of study in an orthopedic residency at a major medical center
• One optional year of specialized education

After establishing a licensed practice, orthopedic surgeons must pass both oral and written examinations given by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

"To be admitted to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a surgeon has to pass both parts of the board exam, provide a history of their surgical procedures, and be well regarded in their community, since personal evaluations are critical," says Dr. Jacob Rozbruch.

Throughout their careers, orthopedic surgeons continue to spend many hours studying and attending courses to stay current and to maintain their skills.

Extra Requirements

All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty. All physicians and surgeons also must pass a standardized national licensure exam. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, contact your state's medical board. Certification is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 9 years in residency training; the length of time varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a certifying board including the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

For additional information, visit these websites:

• http://www.abms.org
• http://www.abpsus.org
• http://certification.osteopathic.org/surgery/