How To Become A Urologist

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How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Urologists

Urologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.

Salary
$218850
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Table of contents
  1. Summary
  2. Steps to become one
  3. Popular degree levels
  4. How long does it take

Summary

Degree Medical degree
License or certification Required
Duration to become one 13 to 16 years
Difficulty to become one Very Hard

Urologists need a Bachelor’s degree and a Medical degree. Aspiring Urologists often earn undergraduate degrees in Biology or Chemistry before earning a Medical degree. After college, Urologists complete residency training and may choose to complete a fellowship before obtaining a state license to practice medicine.


Urologists Requirements

Step 1: Excel at Science in High School

Urologists need to complete various prerequisite courses, including biology and chemistry. High school students should take these courses, followed by any advanced placement (AP) science courses offered at the high school.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Most medical schools only require students to complete three years of undergraduate studies and prerequisite courses. However, earning a Bachelor’s degree looks better on resumes when applying for jobs after earning a license.

Aspiring Urologists do not need to earn a specific major before enrolling in medical school. The main requirements include the completion of various Science courses such as Biology and Chemistry, which are also common majors.

Step 3: Take and Pass the MCAT

Any students who plan on enrolling in medical school take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Students typically take the MCAT during their junior year or senior year of college. The MCAT tests your knowledge of basic sciences and your critical thinking skills. The MCAT contains 230 questions.

Acceptance to medical schools is often competitive. Students spend months studying for the MCAT as the scores are provided when applying to a medical school.

Step 4: Earn a Medical Degree

Urologists need to earn a four-year Medical degree from an accredited medical school. Medical schools often divide medical programs into two parts.

During the first two years of school, students typically learn in classrooms and laboratories. Students may take courses in biochemistry, anatomy, psychology, medical ethics, and pharmacology. The second two years of the medical school provides hands-on training at clinics and hospitals. Students help treat patients under the supervision of licensed Physicians.

Step 5: Prepare for the First Two Steps of the Medical Licensing Exam

The process for becoming a licensed Urologist starts during medical school with the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Medical students must pass three exams to become licensed.

The first step in the USMLE determines whether a student understands the concepts of basic sciences and how they apply to the practice of medicine. It is taken at the end of the second year of medical school.

The second step in the USMLE is taken at the end of the fourth year of medical school. It is a two-part test that covers the skills and knowledge needed to provide supervised medical services.

Step 6: Complete a Residency Program

After earning a Medical degree, Urologists need to participate in a residency training program. Compared to other medical professions, Urologists are required to spend more time training. Instead of two to three years, residency training lasts five years.

At the end of the first year, you will take the final step in the USMLE. Passing the final step allows students to provide medical care without direct supervision.

Step 7: Complete a Fellowship Program

Completing a fellowship program is an optional step for Urologists who want to specialize in a specific area of this field. The fellowship may last one to three years, depending on the specialty.

Step 8: Obtain a Medical License

After finishing residency training or a fellowship program, obtain a medical license. The requirements vary by state. However, you need to obtain a license in the state where you plan on practicing medicine.

Most states complete a thorough background check. A criminal record may disqualify individuals from practicing medicine in some states. You may also need to pass an additional exam administered by your state’s licensing board.

Step 9: Earn Professional Certifications

As with many medical professions, Urologists may earn voluntary certifications to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. There are three main certifying bodies responsible for providing certifications for Urologists.

The American Board of Urology (ABU) offers board certification for Urologists who have at least 16 months of clinical experience. Maintaining board certification requires several hours of continuing education (CE) credits every two years.

The American Urological Association (AUA) does not offer certifications but provides Urologists with access to research journals and board certification courses. To gain access to these resources, Urologists need to become a member of the AUA.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) offers a fellowship designation to qualified Urologists along with additional career resources. To join the ACS, you need at least a year of experience and board certification through the ABU.

What degree do most Urologists have

Doctoral degree

We did a survey to ask other Urologists what degree they had when they first became one. Here are the results.

Doctoral degree
36.64%

First Professional degree
31.98%

Post-Doctoral Training
31.37%

How long does it take

13 to 16 years

Urologists need to earn a four-year undergraduate degree followed by a four-year Medical degree. They then complete a five-year residency before having the opportunity to become licensed. Urologists may also complete a one-year to three-year fellowship.


Learn more about Urologists

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One Comment on “How To Become A Urologist”

  1. It’s cool to see what urologists can do for people who are having urinary problems. This makes it possible to detect cancer and find out problems that could be causing issues in other part’s of life as well. I’m grateful for urologists and all that they do for people.

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