The requirements to become a neurologist include several extensive academic and clinical training steps:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree, typically with required coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics. Many aspiring neurologists major in a natural science, though this is not mandatory[2][4][8].
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): Take and achieve a competitive score on the MCAT, usually during the junior year of undergraduate study[2][4][6][8].
- Medical School: Attend and graduate from an accredited allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical school, which typically lasts four years (two years of classroom learning and two years of clinical rotations)[2][4][6][8].
- Internship/Transitional Year: Complete a year-long accredited internship, usually in internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics, with some programs requiring specific combinations of these specialties[3][4].
- Neurology Residency: Enter and complete a neurology residency program, which generally lasts three to four years. This program must be ACGME-accredited and typically includes substantial hands-on patient care and didactic training[1][3][4][5][7][8].
- Licensing and Examinations: Pass required medical licensing exams, such as the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) or COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination), as well as board examinations administered upon completing residency[1][5][6].
- Optional Subspecialty Training: Pursue a fellowship in a subspecialty area of neurology if desired, which can take one to two additional years[4][8].
- Board Certification: Become board certified in neurology by passing exams administered by the relevant specialty boards after residency and, if applicable, fellowship[4][6].
Application to neurology residency programs typically requires submitting an ERAS application, curriculum vitae, medical school transcripts, USMLE or COMLEX scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation (with at least one from a neurologist), followed by interviews[1][5].
References
- [1] Application Process | Neurology | Washington University in St. Louis
- [2] Requirements on How to Become a Neurologist
- [3] ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Neurology
- [4] How to become a Neurologist – Eight steps after high school
- [5] Neurology Residency: How to apply – MU School of Medicine
- [6] How To Become a Neurologist: A Complete Career Guide – Indeed
- [7] Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications – Neurology
- [8] How to Become a Neurologist: Medical Student Resources | AAN
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