How to Become a Sports Doctor

Video Transcript

"For a career in sports medicine it starts off much as it would for any MD program. You need to complete a bachelors degree. And then apply to medical school. This is a very competitive field and so you really want to focus on your grades in your bachelors course work and really try to have at least a 3.75 GPA or higher. You must then take the MCAT which is the medical college admissions test and then apply to medical school. Medical school is an additional four years of formal education. The first two years are typically reserved for didactic instruction in the health sciences and then you must pass the first step of the medical licensing exam. And the second two years are where you learn basic clinical knowledge, clinical skills to become a physician. Upon completion of your MD you can then apply to the residency program in sports medicine. A residency program is required for all physicians and is really the opportunity for a physician to narrow their practice in a particular field. In this case you would apply to sports medicine residency programs through what is called the National Match Program. Most residency programs do participate in the National Match although there are a few that do not. Sports medicine does and upon successfully matching to a sports medicine residency program you would complete your graduate medical education in sports medicine and would be able to take your state licensing exam in the state which you wish to practice and would then be able to practice independently in sports medicine."