Kentucky Medical License Requirements

Doctors are responsible for diagnosing diseases and treating them. They counsel their patients and make sure that they are following a healthy lifestyle. Doctors enjoy a lucrative salary in the US. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 3,280 doctors employed in Kentucky in 2019.

In order to become a doctor in Kentucky, students will need a certain skillset. The following table sheds some light on this career.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Aspiring doctors have to get a license to practice medicine in the US. They need to have a graduate degree from a medical school and post-graduate training as well. These professionals are required to have multiple skills including dexterity to perform all the procedures effectively. They also need to have strong communication and organization skills. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth for employment for physicians and surgeons is expected to be 7% from 2018-2028.

1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Aspiring doctors have to get an undergraduate degree to start the process of becoming a doctor. There is no specific major required by medical schools; however, students are recommended to take medical related courses so they have a strong base. There are a few mandatory courses they have to take like physics, biology and chemistry.

2. Give the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

Students have to take the MCAT to get admission in medical schools. MCAT is a standardized and mandatory exam which comprises of MCQs. The exam includes subjects like physics, organic chemistry, biology, etc. It also tests the students writing skills and their ability to solve problems.

3. Get a Medical Degree

Aspiring doctors who do well on MCAT get enrolled in a medical college. It is a 4-year program where students gain theoretical knowledge in the first two years. It involves learning in classroom and laboratory. In the last two years students are allowed to work with patients. They get a lot of exposure during these years. They complete rotations in different departments and practice in multiple areas of medicine. This helps them choose their area of specialty.

4. Complete the Residency

Medical students have to complete a residency which can last from 3-7 years. During this program they work at a clinic or a hospital and perform duties in their chosen area of specialty. Some of the common specialty areas include gynecology, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, etc.
Students are expected to perform patient care activities including performing physical exams.

5. Obtain Licensure

Each state has different requirements to obtain licensure. In Kentucky, there are multiple types of licenses. To get a regular license a candidate must be a graduate of an accredited medical school and should have at least two years of post-graduate training. The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX), Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX), National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) are acceptable in Kentucky. The candidates obtain their licensure from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.

Aspiring doctors have to complete their 4-years bachelor’s program followed by a 4-year medical degree at an accredited school. After they complete their education, they have to finish the residency program in their chosen area of specialty. It may last for 3-7 years.

Following are the requirements to become a doctor in Kentucky:

 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean salary of Physicians, all other and Ophthalmologists, except Pediatric in Kentucky was $225,240 in 2019.

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