Education · 1 of 5

The path

One of the longest training routes on this site, and one of the most competitive.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Top grades across biology, chemistry, physics and math. You need a strong college application first.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any major, but you must finish the science prerequisites, keep a very high GPA and sit the medical college admission test.

3. 3

   Medical school

   4 years

   Two years of science, two years of clinical rotations, leading to an MD (doctor of medicine) or a DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine). Pass the first two national licensing exams along the way.

4. 4

   Orthopedic surgery residency

   5 years

   Five years, matched through the national residency match. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Paid, supervised, and long.

5. 5

   Fellowship and board certification

   1 to 2 years

   Most surgeons add a one-year fellowship in a subspecialty. Then the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certification, which is a written exam followed by an oral exam built on a list of your own cases.