How to Become a Doctor in Texas

Becoming a doctor takes hard work and dedication.

Becoming a doctor is hard work, requiring years of schooling in addition to residencies and advanced training. The rewards of being a physician are numerous; helping the sick provides high job satisfaction and an excellent salary with little worry about downsizing and layoffs. Aspiring physicians in Texas have access to a variety of medical schools and some of the nation's largest hospitals, where they have a choice of specializations.

Instructions

1. 

   Study hard at medical school.

   Attend medical school. Texas has nine medical schools, eight public and one private (the Baylor University School of Medicine). The state schools offer lower tuition rates for Texas residents, and all require students to have a bachelor's degree. Additionally, med school students must take the MCAT, the medical college admissions test, and will need a score in the high 20s or 30s to qualify, according to Eduers.

2. 

   Take part in a medical residency.

   Complete a residency to gain real-world medical experience. A medical residency can last three to eight years depending on specialization, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Texas has many hospitals for residencies, such as the Woman's Hospital of Texas in Dallas, a good choice for a doctor wanting to specialize in gynecology or obstetrics. Texas Children's Hospital, located in Austin, is the largest facility of its kind in the United States and an excellent option for those wanting to become pediatricians.

3. 

   Apply for licensure through the Texas Medical Board.

   Become licensed with the Texas Medical Board to practice. The Texas Medical Board oversees physicians in the state, making sure they have the required education and residency experience to qualify as doctors. Additionally, the Texas Medical Board conducts background checks to make sure physicians do not have criminal records and conducts licensing examinations to ensure that all practicing doctors are qualified. The board charges $885 to process a license application, which takes 51 days on average.

References

• Texas Medical Association: List of Texas Med Schools
• National Resident Matching Program: Residency Info and Positions
• Texas Medical Board: Physician Licensing
• Eduers: MCAT and Med School Admissions

Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Doctor Career Information
• TMDSAS: Texas Medical Application Service