The state of Illinois provides plenty of opportunities for medical health professionals to succeed in their respective fields. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that Illinois is one of the top five U.S. states that has the highest employment level of Family and General Practitioners.
If you want to join this highly rewarding profession, then you will find this article quite useful. This guide will help you understand how to become a doctor in Illinois.

Should I Become a Doctor

If you are decisive, caring and compassionate, then you might have a good chance at excelling as a doctor.
The data displayed in the table below shows the training and education requirements that need to be fulfilled by Physicians and Surgeons. This data has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education Required Doctoral/professional training is mandatory.
Training A residency/internship must be completed.
Licenses/Certifications Individuals must have a license.
Key Skills/Qualities Physical Stamina, Dexterity, and Compassion, in addition to Problem Solving, Organizational, and Leadership Skills.
Annual Mean Salary (2020) – National $214,370 (Family and General Practitioners)
Job Outlook (2019-29) 6% (Family Medicine Physicians
Annual Mean Salary (2019)-Illinois $212,510 (Family Medicine Physicians

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Requirements

To be eligible for a state license, aspiring physicians and surgeons have to earn a bachelor’s degree, followed by a doctoral degree. In addition to this, they have to complete a residency and clear a licensure examination.

Steps to Become a Doctor in Illinois

In order to be licensed as a physician in Illinois, candidates have to pass through the following stages.

  1. Complete an Undergraduate Degree


    2. The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject as long as the candidate is able to complete the pre-medical course requirements. Usually there is a misconception among students that it is mandatory for aspiring doctors to choose a science major if they want to get into a doctoral program. This is not true – students can go ahead and major in any subject of their choice at the undergraduate level, as long as they are able to fulfill the pre-medical education requirements.

  1. Clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)


    2. The process of getting into a medical school is very competitive and is based on a number of variables, including a high MCAT score. This test includes a range of multiple choice questions that analyzes the individual’s basic science knowledge and critical thinking abilities.

  1. Graduate from a Medical School


    2. After passing the MCAT, individuals can get admitted to an accredited medical school. It takes around four years’ time to graduate from medical school. Students also have to successfully complete residency training in order to be eligible for a license.

  1. File a Licensure Application


    2. This stage involves submitting the licensure application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Moreover, applicants also have to pay the licensure fee to the department. Please note that the licensure application will not be considered if the individual hasn’t cleared these exams:

  • Step 1, 2, and 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or;
  • Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada examination (LMCC) or;
  • Part I, II, III of the examinations of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME).

How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor in Illinois?

The process of becoming a doctor is long. First of all, individuals have to complete a bachelor’s degree, which takes approximately four years to complete. After that, individuals have to earn a medical degree, which also takes four years to complete. Lastly, individuals have to complete a residency program, which takes an additional three to seven years to complete.

What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Doctor in Illinois?

Candidates wishing to practice medicine in Illinois will have to meet the following criteria:
The individual must:

  • Have completed two years of study at a university or college and four years of study at a medical school.
  • Have completed approved residency training.
  • Have cleared the licensing exam.
  • Have a good moral character.
  • Be professionally, mentally and physically capable of practicing medicine with reasonable safety and skill.

 

How Much Do Doctors Earn in Illinois?

BLS has classified the broad segment of Physicians and Surgeons into several sub-categories. For the sake of this article, we will be using the wage data of Family and General Practitioners. It has been reported that Family and General Practitioners working in Illinois earned a lucrative yearly mean pay of $212,310 in 2019.

Career Outlook for Doctors in Illinois

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Family Medicine Physicians in Illinois earned $212,510 in the year 2020. As per the data provided by O*Net Online, Family Medicine Physicians in the state of Illinois will experience a -2% job growth between 2018 and 2028.

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