Pediatrician: Career Requirements
Becoming a pediatrician requires several years of education and training. Here are the typical
career requirements to become a pediatrician:
1. Education: You need to complete a bachelor's degree program, usually in a science-
related field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-med. Make sure to take courses in biology,
chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
2. Medical School: After obtaining a bachelor's degree, you must attend medical school,
which typically takes four years to complete. Admission to medical school is highly
competitive, and you need to pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as part of
the application process.
3. Medical Degree (MD or DO): Upon completing medical school, you will earn a medical
degree (MD or DO). MD stands for Doctor of Medicine, while DO stands for Doctor of
Osteopathic Medicine. Both degrees allow you to become a licensed physician.
4. Residency Training: Following medical school, you must complete a residency program
in pediatrics. Pediatric residency training generally lasts for three years. During this time,
you will work under the supervision of experienced pediatricians, gaining hands-on
clinical experience in various aspects of child healthcare.
5. Licensure: After completing your residency, you need to obtain a medical license to
practice medicine. The specific requirements for licensure vary by country or state, but
typically involve passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or
the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
