To become a doctor, it generally takes about 11 to 15 years of education and training after high school. This includes:
- 4 years of undergraduate college to earn a bachelor's degree, often in a science-related field.
- 4 years of medical school to earn a medical degree (MD or DO).
- 3 to 7 years of residency training depending on the chosen medical specialty.
In total, the typical path involves around 11 years minimum (4+4+3) but can extend up to 15 years or more for specialized fields requiring longer residency or fellowship training. Some programs may accelerate this timeline slightly, but this is the usual timeframe to become a licensed and practicing physician.
