How to Become an OBGYN in 7 Steps

An OB/GYN is a doctor that works in obstetrics and gynecology. They specialize in the female reproductive system, pregnancy, and childbirth.

To become an OB/GYN, you'll need to attend medical school as well as an OB/GYN residency. The path to licensure can be long, so we've broken down everything you need to know about becoming an OB/GYN.

What Is an OB/GYN?

An OB/GYN is a doctor who specializes in both obstetrics and gynecology. Obstetrics is the field of medicine that focuses on pregnancy and childbirth, while gynecology focuses on the female reproductive system.

OB/GYNs diagnose, treat, perform procedures, and prescribe medication related to these areas of focus. They also deliver babies, perform c-sections, and monitor patients after these procedures.

Because OB/GYNs are medical doctors, they must attend medical school and become licensed before they are able to practice.

The entire process takes over a decade. We've broken down each step below.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Before you can begin medical school, you need to have a bachelor's degree. These degree programs usually last about four years and require around 120 credits.

Some schools may offer specific pre-med tracks for undergraduate students to help ensure that you're taking all the necessary prerequisite courses for medical school.

The majority of pre-med students choose a major in the biological sciences, like biology or biochemistry. Other common major categories for pre-med students include:

• humanities
• math and statistics
• physical sciences
• social sciences

Step 2: Pass the MCAT

Nearly all medical schools in the U.S. require their applicants to have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

This is a standardized exam written and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

There are four sections to the MCAT:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

Many medical schools have a minimum score that they want applicants to meet for the MCAT. If you aren't happy with your score, you can take the MCAT a total of seven times.

Step 3: Go to Medical School

Medical school usually takes about four years and includes a mix of classroom teaching and hands-on experience to train you to work as a doctor.

Getting into medical school isn't easy for everyone. Schools are often highly selective, and the process requires writing essays and attending interviews.

It's best to apply to several medical schools to increase your chances of getting accepted. Most students use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), which allows you to apply to multiple schools with one application.

The first two years of medical school are usually filled with lectures and classroom learning, while the third and fourth involve clinical rotations.

Clinical rotations take you through different medical departments so you can get an idea of what it's like to work in each of them.

If your heart is set on working as an OB/GYN, you'll want to choose a school that includes obstetrics and gynecology in their rotations.

You'll also want to choose a school that's accredited through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. You can find a complete list of accredited programs at lcme.org.

Step 4: Pass the First Two Parts of the USMLE

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is an exam required to become a licensed medical physician in the United States.

There are three parts to the USMLE. You can take the first two parts once you begin medical school, but can't take the third part until you have at least one year of postgraduate training.

The first part of the USMLE exam is made up of 280 multiple-choice questions. Questions are divided into seven one-hour blocks. With breaks included, the test takes eight hours to complete.

The second exam is labeled Step 2 CK where CK stands for clinical knowledge. This exam is broken into eight one-hour blocks and has a maximum of 318 questions.

Both tests are computer-based and must be taken through one of multiple Prometric test centers across the nation.

While you can take the first two steps of the USMLE anytime after you've started med school, you will likely need to pass both parts before applying for residency.

Step 5: Complete a Medical Residency

Medical residency is training that you undergo after graduating from medical school. This is a chance to get supervised, hands-on training within a specific field of medicine.

Those wanting to become an OB/GYN will need to be accepted into an obstetrics and gynecology residency.

The length of a residency depends on the specialization. Most OB/GYN residencies are four years long.

As your residency goes on, you'll be given more complex tasks, like advanced surgical procedures, and more complex patients, like those with high-risk pregnancies.

Step 6: Obtain Your Medical License

Before you can practice as a physician, you'll need to become licensed through your state. Each state has specific requirements you need to meet before you can become licensed.

While state requirements can vary, one thing you'll need to do is take the third and final part of the USMLE.

The third step of the USMLE is made up of multiple-choice questions and clinical case simulations. It must be taken over two days.

The first day is titled Foundations of Independent Practice. It's made up of six one-hour blocks. Day two is Advanced Clinical Medicine and is divided into six 45-minute blocks.

Some states will require that you have a certain amount of postgraduate training, but you should be able to fulfill that with your residency program.

There may be other requirements to fulfill as well, so check with your state to check the process for applying for licensure.

Step 7: Consider Certification

While certification isn't necessary, there are a few benefits. Employers may prefer to hire candidates with certification, and certification reinforces your credentials.

OB/GYNs can earn certification through the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ABOG). You can apply for certification after finishing your residency.

You'll need to take two exams to become certified. The first is a written exam that covers four topic areas. These are:

• obstetrics
• gynecology
• office practice and women's health
• cross content

After passing the written exam, you can take the oral exam. You'll submit cases that you've experienced in your career and answer questions regarding these cases.

Become an OB/GYN

To become an OB/GYN, you'll need to attend medical school, go through residency, and take several exams. It's a long road, but it leads to a very rewarding career.