CareerExplorer’s step-by-step guide on how to become a dermatologist.
Is becoming a dermatologist right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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Bachelor's Degree
Getting an undergraduate/bachelor's degree from a four-year university is the first step to becoming a dermatologist. This can include pre-med courses in biology, organic chemistry, physics, and general chemistry. Some students must also complete math and biochemistry coursework depending on the medical school they wish to attend.
Medical School
After completing an undergraduate/bachelor's degree, aspiring dermatologists need to take and perform well on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). They must then attend a four-year accredited medical school. A high undergraduate GPA is essential, as admission to medical school is extremely competitive.
Residency
Following medical school, aspiring dermatologists must complete a dermatology residency. A residency in dermatology involves one year as an intern in either general surgery or internal medicine, followed by three years of clinical residency in dermatology.
Fellowship
After the completion of residency, many dermatologists choose to pursue further training in sub-specialized fields such as cosmetic surgery, laser medicine, dermatopathology, phototherapy, immunodermatology, or Moh's micrographic surgery. This is done through a one or two year fellowship.
Licensing/Certification
Dermatologists must obtain and keep a current license to practice. After successfully completing medical school and dermatology residency, they are eligible to sit for the Dermatology Board Examination (administered by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD)) and can finally be deemed “board-certified”. Dermatologists who have completed a fellowship and passed the general board examination can get further certification and take the appropriate Subspecialty Board Examination through the ABD. To maintain board certification, a dermatologist must re-take and pass the board examination every ten years, and complete continuing medical education (CME) requirements throughout his or her career.
How to become a Dermatologist
Skin conditions are often associated with internal conditions and other external factors. Therefore, dermatologists should be knowledgeable in fields such as genetics, oncology, mycology, immunology, histology, bacteriology and others.
Dermatologists must train as a general doctor before undertaking postgraduate education in dermatology, and also do an internship and a residency program. Training positions are generally based in university teaching hospitals with periods at a general hospital. The competition for residency programs is very competitive. In the United States, completing a residency program qualifies a person as a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and in order to become a Board Certified Dermatologist, an extensive examination must be completed.