How to Become a Doctor at Age 30

by Clayton Browne, Demand Media Google

The road to becoming a physician is long and challenging. You really begin in high school, as pre-med students should take plenty of math and science to prepare themselves academically. Then comes four years of college to earn a bachelor's degree and four years of medical school, and, last but not least, another three to eight years of supervised medical practice in your residency. Therefore, even though you have been practicing medicine for four years, in most cases you are not a full-fledged physician with an unrestricted license until about age 30. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that doctors practicing primary care earned a median salary of $202,392 in 2010.

Step 1

Complete a bachelor's degree program, ideally in a natural science such as biology or chemistry. You need to maintain a high grade-point average as admission to medical school is highly competitive. You will be about 22 after earning your undergraduate degree.

Step 2

Enroll in medical school. Medical school is a rigorous four-year academic program. The first two years of med school are intensive classwork in physiology, biochemistry, psychology, pharmacology, surgical techniques and ethics. The last two years are a series of rotations through the internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery departments in a teaching hospital associated with the medical school. You will be about 26 after completing medical school.

Step 3

Choose a medical specialty and undertake a residency program in your specialty. A residency is typically a four-year program where medical school graduates practice medicine under the supervision of experienced physicians in their field, and gradually are given greater responsibilities as they become more experienced. You will be about 30 when you finish your residency.

Step 4

Apply for a license to practice medicine in your state after you have completed your residency. All states require that new physicians pass the the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, and some have additional requirements for licensure. Some states offer medical license reciprocity, but many do not.


  • Consider becoming board certified in your medical specialty to enhance your professional credentials. Board certification involves passing a comprehensive exam on the latest practices in that specialty, and significant continuing education requirements.

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