Medical school typically lasts about 4 years. After medical school, graduates must complete a residency program, which generally lasts between 3 and 7 years depending on the medical specialty chosen. For example, primary care residencies like family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics usually take about 3 years, while surgical specialties can require 5 to 7 years or more. Some highly specialized fields, such as neurosurgery, may require up to 7 years of residency. Following residency, some doctors pursue fellowships for subspecialty training, which can add 1 to 3 additional years
. In summary:
- Medical school: ~4 years
- Residency: 3 to 7 years depending on specialty
- Fellowship (optional subspecialty training): 1 to 3 years
Total training time from the start of medical school to independent practice usually ranges from about 7 to 11 years, and including undergraduate college education, the full path to becoming a practicing physician can take 12 to 18 years after high school
