How To Become A Dermatologist

Stan T.Career, Requirements

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

Dermatologists

Dermatologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other conditions of the skin.

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 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Degree field Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry or a related-field then medical school
License or certification Licensure required in all states. Board certification is voluntary
Duration to become one At least 12 years
Difficulty to become one Very Hard

How does one go about becoming a Dermatologist? And how long does it take to become one?

Ok, buckle up, because this is a doozie.

You have to start with 4 years of college. Most of the time students will have an idea they want to go into a medical field so they’ll tailor their undergrad coursework to be accomodating of their medical school plans or actually enter a pre-med program. You then have to take the MCAT for your med school admissions and application. That in itself requires an immense amount of studying and is a high-stress exam with a lot riding on it. If you pass, you’ll then apply to med school programs and once accepted, advance to 4 years of medical school. You’ll also need to finish a 1-year internship in medicine followed by another 3-year residency in dermatology. You’re now at a total of around 12 years of advanced coursework. But get this, say you wanted to become a Mohs Surgeon (skin cancer focus) or a Pediatric Dermatologist, there’s an option for another year or two of fellowships. Unless you’re Doogie Howser, MD, you should expect to be in your early to mid-30s (or older if you’re also starting a family during this time) when you’re ready to become a dermatologist that’s practicing and earning a comfortable living.

Because of the positive attributes of the profession I mentioned above, such as the convenient work schedules, and being a relatively positive sector of medicine – getting a spot in a dermatology residency is VERY competitive for graduating medical students. I share this because it’s better to know in advance that you’ll likely need to be open to your residency options to progress through the steps and one shouldn’t be concrete with their plans like “I will only go to XYZ for my residency!” Unless you’re a showstopper or a prodigy you might have to make some concessions here but it’s worth it to complete the process and move forward with your career. As an example, I went to Michigan and New York states for my undergrad, med school, and residency.

I find the career and ability to help patients absolutely rewarding, so I recommend it for others, it’s just a long process and you have to be committed.

Todd Minars, MD
Board-certified dermatologist

Dermatologists Requirements

Step 1: Take Relevant Courses in High School

Dermatologists are medical professionals and require a strong foundation of biology, chemistry, and physics. You can start preparing for a career in dermatology by taking the highest level of each of these subjects in high school.

Step 2: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

Becoming a dermatologist requires you to complete medical school. However, to enroll in medical school, you first need to earn a pre-med bachelor’s degree.

Suitable majors include biology and chemistry. Courses should also include physics, math, and organic chemistry.

Step 3: Take and Pass the MCAT

After earning a bachelor’s degree, you need to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Medical schools look at your MCAT score when reviewing your application. Read our review of the best MCAT prep coure here.

The MCAT is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It measures your overall knowledge of medical-related subjects including biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, general chemistry, and sociology. However, the test also requires you to use your critical thinking and reasoning skills.

The average MCAT score is about 500 with 50% of all test takers receiving a score of 500 to 507. A score of 508 to 513 places you in the top 25%.

Step 4: Earn a Medical Degree in Dermatology

Aspiring dermatologists need to earn a medical degree from an accredited medical school. Most dermatology programs are four years. Completing a medical program earns you a Doctor of Medicine degree in dermatology.

Admission to a medical school remains highly competitive. You need to have a high MCAT score and a suitable undergraduate GPA.

Step 5: Pass the US Medical Licensing Exams

During your path to becoming a dermatologist, you will need to complete the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). The USMLE includes three parts taken at different stages of your medical school training.

You will complete the first part after your second year of school, the second part just before your final year, and the third part after completing your residency. After passing the third part of the exam, you receive an educational medical license.

Step 6: Complete a Residency

Students start a residency program immediately after completing medical school. The residency programs typically last three or four years. This includes a one-year internship in internal medicine or general surgery.

Internships are often completed at hospitals in your local area. After the internship, you complete your residency training at a clinic that offers dermatology services to patients.

Dermatology residents receive hands-on training on how to diagnose skin, nail, and hair conditions. You also learn how to perform surgical techniques such as excisions and biopsies.

Step 7: Complete a Fellowship

After completing the residency program, some dermatologists choose to complete fellowships. Fellowships allow you to specialize in specific areas of dermatology. Specialty areas of dermatology include:

  • Dermatopathology
  • Dermato-immunology
  • Medical dermatology
  • Surgical dermatology
  • Pediatric dermatology
  • Cosmetic dermatology

Fellowships typically take one year to complete. The fellowship opportunities are offered through medical schools and dermatology departments at accredited universities and colleges.

Step 8: Obtain an Unrestricted Medical License in Your State

Passing the US Medical Licensing Exams earns you an educational license. To practice as a dermatologist, you also need an unrestricted medical license in your state. 18 states currently participate in a reciprocity program, allowing you to work in a different state without obtaining a new license.

The licensing requirements for dermatologists vary by state. However, most states require the completion of a Doctor of Medicine program, three or four years of residency, and the passage of a licensing exam.

Step 9: Become Board-Certified

After earning your unrestricted license, you can start working as a dermatologist. Board certification is not a requirement. However, many dermatologists choose to become board-certified. Board certification is also required by some employers, such as private practices and health clinics.

Board certification is handled by the American Board of Dermatology. The certification process involves an examination, which requires you to submit your valid unrestricted medical license and a copy of your evaluation form from completing a residency program.

To maintain board certification, you need to complete continuing medical education (CME) requirements. You also need to retake the board examination every 10 years.

Step 10: Join a Professional Organization

Continue to improve your employability and career prospects by joining a professional organization. There are many organizations dedicated to dermatologists and the various dermatology specialties.

The largest dermatological organization in the United States is the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The AAD provides professional dermatologists with a variety of resources for continuing education, practice management, and career opportunities.

What degree do most Dermatologists have

Doctoral degree

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

Doctoral degree
50.34%

Post-Doctoral Training
33.05%

Master’s degree
13.46%

How long does it take

At least 12 years

The path to becoming a board-certified dermatologist may take 12 years or longer. You first need to earn a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree, which should take about eight years. This is followed by a one-year internship and a three-year residency program. If you choose to pursue a fellowship, it may take another year or two to become a dermatologist.


Learn more about Dermatologists

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