The records of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that Colorado had close to 3,500 physicians, surgeons and ophthalmologists (other than pediatric) in 2019. If you also plan on becoming a medical practitioner in The Centennial State, then this guide is for you.
Should I Become a Doctor in Colorado?
| Education Required | Bachelor’s degree along with specialized medical education. This is normally an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. |
| Major Requirement | Medicine |
| License/Certification | Required |
| Experience/Training | Required |
| Key Skills | Inductive and Deductive Reasoning, Critical and Creative Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Communication, Active Listening, Problem Sensitivity |
| Annual Mean Wage – National (2021) | $218,850 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric) |
| Annual Mean Salary – Colorado (2021) | $270,370 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric) |
| Job Outlook – Colorado (2018-2028) | 19% (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric) |
Sources: O*NET OnLine and US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Requirements
To pursue a career as a Doctor in Colorado, you need both an undergraduate and a medical degree (usually a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). You will subsequently go through a residency program at a well-known medical facility in the state. As a healthcare practitioner, you should also have good critical thinking and problem solving ability.
Steps to Become a Doctor in Colorado
Follow the procedure explained below to become a Doctor in Colorado.
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- Complete Your Undergraduate Education
This is where you journey to becoming a doctor will begin. You are advised to take some courses in sciences like physics, chemistry, biology and related areas. Specific pre-medical tracks are also provided by some schools. They offer courses in biology, fundamentals of healthcare, anatomy, psychology and physiology, etc.
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- Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Following the completion of your undergrad degree, you will be eligible to sit for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Getting a good score on this exam is very important for entry into a medical school.
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- Enroll in Medical School
In medical school, you will spend 4 years studying for an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree. You may also opt for the DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Clinical training and academic coursework will be regular features of both programs.
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- Join and Complete a Residency Program
Following on from med school, you will have to complete a residency at a Colorado hospital of note. A residency is on-the-job training with pay. During this period, medical graduates treat patients under the supervision of a licensed physician/doctor and pick a specialty. It takes anywhere between 3 to 7 years to complete a residency, depending on the chosen specialty.
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- Get Your Colorado Medical License
Once you have finished your residency, you can apply for your license with the Colorado Medical Board. It accepts qualified individuals who have passed any of the national examinations such as the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), FLEX (Federation Licensing Examination) and the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) Licensing Exam.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor in Colorado?
To become a Doctor in Colorado, you will spend 4 years in medical school. Before that, you will spend 4 years to complete your Bachelor’s studies. After 8 years of education, you have to begin a residency program at a Colorado health facility. This will take around 3 to 7 years. So, in total, you are looking at a time of 11 to 15 years to become a doctor.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Doctor in Colorado
Fulfilling the requirements given below is mandatory to become a Doctor in Colorado.
- Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree.
- Finishing medical school (with an MD or DO degree).
- Completing residency at a Colorado hospital.
- Getting a license from the Colorado Medical Board (CMB).
How Much Can I Make as a Doctor in Colorado?
According to the 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States, the annual mean wage of physicians in Colorado is $270,370. O*Net Online forecasts a 19% increase in employment opportunities for Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in Colorado between 2018-2028. The national corresponding average for physicians is $231,500 (2021); whereas the projected growth between 2020-30 is 5%. The annual mean wage for emergency medicine physicians in Colorado was $292,460 in 2021, whereas the corresponding national average was $ 310,640.
Career Outlook
According to the latest data published by O*Net Online, “Physicians, All Other” occupational group will enjoy an exceptional job growth of 19% between 2018 and 2028.