Physician (M.D. or D.O.): pre-med to residency and license
A bachelor's degree with science courses, the MCAT, 4 years of medical school (M.D. or D.O.), national licensing exams, 3 to 9 years of residency and a state medical license.
For: Students ready for a long route of study and residency after high school, who like science and want to diagnose and treat patients.
Route 1: Pre-med → MCAT → M.D. → USMLE → residency M.D.
No specific undergraduate major is required; applicants usually studied biology, physical science or a health field.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4 years
Bachelor's degree with pre-med courses
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
MCAT
Medical schools ask for transcripts, MCAT scores and letters of recommendation; most also interview.
MCAT exam pageBLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4 years
Medical school (M.D.)
Classroom and lab study first, then clinical rotations in areas such as internal medicine, pediatrics and surgery.
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3
Taken at different points of M.D. education and training; results go to state medical boards.
USMLE exam pageUSMLE
About the USMLEUSMLE (FSMB and NBME)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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3–9 years
Residency
Almost all graduates enter a residency in their specialty; a fellowship adds 1 to 3 years.
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State medical license
All states require physicians to be licensed; requirements vary by state.
Medical license stepsBLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Physician
Board certification is not required but may increase job opportunities.
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Pre-med → MCAT → D.O. → COMLEX-USA → residency D.O.
Osteopathic medical schools award the D.O.; the licensing exam is COMLEX-USA.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4 years
Bachelor's degree with pre-med courses
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
MCAT
MCAT exam pageBLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4 years
Medical school (D.O.)
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-CE, Level 3
Levels 1 and 2-CE are required to graduate from accredited D.O. programs.
COMLEX-USA exam pageNBOME
COMLEX-USANational Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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3–9 years
Residency
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State medical license
Medical license stepsBLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Physician (D.O.)
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 3: Combined bachelor's + M.D. program 6–8 years
Some medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs; schools may also offer M.D.-Ph.D., M.D.-MBA or M.D.-MPH.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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6–8 years
Combined undergraduate and medical school program
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
USMLE or COMLEX-USA
USMLE (and COMLEX-USA) exam pageUSMLE
About the USMLEUSMLE (FSMB and NBME)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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3–9 years
Residency
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State medical license
Medical license stepsBLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Physician
BLS
Physicians and Surgeons — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules
Each state medical board sets its own licensing rules; passing USMLE or COMLEX-USA alone does not grant a license. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact list is on the medical license page. BLS
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Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.