Pediatricians are doctors who work predominantly with children by treating illnesses and injuries, tracking growth and looking out for health problems that commonly affect children. Being a pediatrician requires eight years of school, a residency and a license.
High School
High school students considering pediatrics can start preparing for medical school while in high school, even though high school records are not examined by medical school admissions offices. Prospective pediatricians should do well in all coursework and take as many courses in natural sciences as possible.
College
Only three years of undergraduate work are required for medical school admission, but most applicants have a bachelor's degree. Most prospective pediatricians consider premedical majors, though they can also consider natural science majors such as biology and biochemistry. Some schools do not offer premedical majors and instead offer a major in a natural science for those interested in applying to medical school.
Medical School
Acceptance into medical school is difficult and competitive. Medical schools require transcripts from all colleges attended, the Medical College Admission Test and a prescribed number of letters of recommendation. For some schools, an applicant may only need to submit an application to the medical school itself, while other schools require admission to the university itself and the medical school. You may also need to go to an interview at the school.
Internship and Residency
After graduation from medical school, pediatricians take part in an internship for at least a year, then go into a residency for at least three years. If the pediatrician is interested in certification in a subspecialty, another three years of residency are required. A residency is another form of training, though the resident pediatrician is paid (at a low salary, however).
Licensing
All states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories require a practicing pediatrician to be licensed. Licenses are given to pediatricians who have graduated from an accredited medical school, completed their residencies and passed an examination. Pediatricians who move to from one state to another can usually get a new license without taking another examination, but some states do not allow this.
Certification
Pediatricians can receive a voluntary certification from the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). Certification is given to pediatricians who have graduated from an accredited medical school, completed a three-year pediatrics residency, have a state license and passed a written examination. The ABP also offers certifications in subspecialties such as neonatal-perinatal medicine.
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