How to become a Neurologist

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How to become a Neurologist?

The steps to become a Neurologist after high school are:

1. Earn a Bachelor's degree.

Most medical schools require the completion of a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite to entering Medical school. In addition, many courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics are required. For this reason, many students major in biology or chemistry, but there is not one particular major that is required.

2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
During Junior year of undergrad, prospective med school hopefuls take the standardized MCAT test.

3. Attend Medical School
Medical school is 4 years in length and can be broken down into two distinct parts. During the first 2 years of med school, students learn basic medical sciences which are didactic in nature and are a combination of lecture and lab courses.

Traditionally, at the end of year two, students take the United States Medical Licensing Exam, USMLE Step 1 (for M.D./Allopathy students) or COMLEX Level 1 (for D.O./Osteopathy students). This is often thought of as the most difficult test a medical school student will ever take. Passing Step 1 is required for initial State licensure during Intern year and Neurology Residency.

In the second two years of Medical school, students complete the clinical skills portion of med school. This is 100% hands-on education and training that occurs at teaching hospitals across the US and Canada. During this time, medical students in their third and fourth years complete rotations at clinics and hospitals.

Before graduation, every medical student must complete a set of required rotations. These are called "core rotations" and are completed during third year. During core rotations, students rotate though many different medical specialties including Pediatrics, Internal medicine, OB-GYN, Family medicine, Psychiatry, Emergency medicine, General surgery and Neurology. Many students take the USMLE Step 2 and COMLEX Level 2 examination after the end of third year as the material covered on this examination is directly related to what is learned during third year rotations. Similar to Step 1/Level 1, passing Step 2/Level 2 is required for medical licensure in all States.

For most students, the fourth year of Medical school is spent exclusively in elective rotations. These rotations serve two purposes. The first purpose is to expose students to medical specialties other than those available during core rotations such as Cardiology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Radiology, and Pathology (just to name a few). The second purpose is to arrange elective rotations at teaching hospitals that a student may wish to attend residency at.

4. Get Licensed in the State the internship/Residency program is located in.
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5. Attend an Intern year.
Graduates of medical schools who want to become a Neurologist must complete a one year-long period of training as a hospital intern.This is commonly called an Intern year.

6. Attend a Residency program.
After Intern year, a three-year Residency program in Neurology must be completed. It is during residency that the bulk of clinical education about Neurology and practicing as a Neurologist is learned. Residency programs are lengthy and demanding, but because residents are developing their clinical expertise in the profession they have worked so hard to get into, it can also be fun.

7. Attend a Subspecialty Fellowship (Optional).
Some neurologists choose to continue their education by attending a fellowship program. Fellowships are reserved for the best and brightest Neurology residents. Fellowships can last up to 4 years.

8. Become Board Certified.

Board certification is not necessary for licensure but is required by most employers such as hospitals and clinics. It also is a way to differentiate oneself and stand out amongst patients. It can also give a competitive advantage in medical specialties in large urban communities. Board certification in Neurology is obtained through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc ABPN. Continuing medical education is required after certification is obtained.

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