Education Pathways
Medical Education Routes & Training Programs
Comprehensive guide to becoming a licensed physician
155
US Medical Schools
21,000+
Annual Graduates
7%
Average Acceptance Rate
511
Average MCAT Score
Medical Education Pathways
Different routes to becoming a licensed physician
Traditional MD/DO Pathway
- 1
Bachelor's Degree (4 years)
- 2
Medical School (4 years)
- 3
Residency Training (3-7 years)
- 4
Fellowship (Optional, 1-3 years)
- 5
Board Certification
International Medical Graduate
- 1
Medical Degree from Foreign School
- 2
ECFMG Certification
- 3
USMLE Step 1, 2CK, 2CS
- 4
US Residency Training
- 5
State Medical License
Combined Degree Programs
- 1
BS/MD Programs (6-8 years)
- 2
MD/PhD Programs (7-8 years)
- 3
MD/MBA Programs (5 years)
- 4
Specialized Residency
- 5
Board Certification
Global Medical Licensing Framework
Key International Medical Licensing Bodies
Canada
Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
MCCQE Part I & II
NAC Examination
LMCC certification
United Kingdom
General Medical Council (GMC)
PLAB Part 1 & 2
IELTS/OET English test
Portfolio pathway
Australia
Australian Medical Council (AMC)
AMC MCQ Examination
Clinical examination
Workplace assessment
Germany
State Medical Chambers
Medical degree recognition
Language proficiency (B2/C1)
Knowledge assessment
France
Ordre National des Médecins
Degree equivalence
Language proficiency
Clinical training
Japan
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
National Medical Exam
Language proficiency
Clinical training
Medical School Admission Requirements
Academic Prerequisites
Bachelor's Degree
Any major accepted, science preferred
GPA Requirement
Minimum 3.5+ (competitive programs)
Science Courses
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Organic Chemistry
MCAT Score
Average 511+ for competitive schools
Clinical Experience
Volunteer Work
Hospital or clinic volunteering (100+ hours)
Shadowing
Physician shadowing experience (50+ hours)
Research
Medical or scientific research experience
Leadership
Extracurricular activities and leadership roles
Educational Resources
AAMC
Association of American Medical Colleges
USMLE
United States Medical Licensing Examination
ECFMG
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates