Most traditional jobs for physicians require a medical license.
How to become a licensed physician in the USA
Becoming licensed as a physician in the United States requires passing a set of examinations and completing training. In general, USMLE part 1,2 and 3 are required (information here) as well as at least 1-3 years of residency training. The medical licensing requirements differ slightly for each state and can be found here. Most residency positions are obtained through the National Resident Matching Program (information here) although there are a few positions available at other times during the year outside the match when unexpected circumstances open a residency position. See a list of updated unfilled residency slots here.
How to become a licensed physician in the USA
Becoming licensed as a physician in the United States requires passing a set of examinations and completing training. In general, USMLE part 1,2 and 3 are required (information here) as well as at least 1-3 years of residency training. The medical licensing requirements differ slightly for each state and can be found here. Most residency positions are obtained through the National Resident Matching Program (information here) although there are a few positions available at other times during the year outside the match when unexpected circumstances open a residency position. See a list of updated unfilled residency slots here.
Certification and training options for MD’s without residency training/ medical license
If you are an MD without residency training and you are looking for a job, you already know that your job options are different and more limited than the choices for physicians who have completed residency and who are licensed or board certified physicians.
However, for many reasons, some physicians have an MD but cannot get accepted into residency training or do not want to complete residency training. Every year, there are many US medical school graduates and international medical school graduates who do not match in a residency spot. If you have either left your residency or if you are unable to begin a residency in the first place, there are still a number of job possibilities and certifications available for you. If you are considering dropping out of residency, you should also read this before you make any final decisions.
If you are an MD without residency training and you are looking for a job, you already know that your job options are different and more limited than the choices for physicians who have completed residency and who are licensed or board certified physicians.
However, for many reasons, some physicians have an MD but cannot get accepted into residency training or do not want to complete residency training. Every year, there are many US medical school graduates and international medical school graduates who do not match in a residency spot. If you have either left your residency or if you are unable to begin a residency in the first place, there are still a number of job possibilities and certifications available for you. If you are considering dropping out of residency, you should also read this before you make any final decisions.
There are other health related jobs that that MDs can get with some additional training or certification. Usually, entry into these courses is not as competitive as entry into residency programs, and the time to complete the programs is typically shorter than residency. Most of these options cost money for course tuition and examination fees. Starting salaries for these jobs are generally lower than the starting salaries of residency trained physicians, but they can offer full time employment in the health care field and a stepping-stone to leadership positions and promotions and even entrepreneurial opportunities in the future.
- *Research is a competitive field that requires experience and completion of a post doctorate-training program. Most post doctorate-training programs will pay you a stipend while you train in a research lab. In general, they do not require residency and they are usually filled outside of the match.
- *Medical informatics is a growing field that is open to physicians. This field involves working with electronic medical records and implementation of technology. Find information about certification here.
- *Naturopathic medicine is an option that would allow you to see patients. Naturopathic medical practice requires a license. You can take courses and then sit for qualifying examinations. Find more information about licensure requirements here, about board requirements here and about educational programs here.
- *Lifestyle medicine is an option that incorporates working with patients on issues such as weight loss and addiction. Find information about courses and certification here.
- *Preventative medicine is an area that offers the opportunity to gain certification. Information can be found here.
- *Genetics counselors also see patients and are generally paid through patients’ insurance plans. Most large medical systems and academic hospitals have genetics counselors. Find more information about training, certification and licensing here.
- *Acupuncture is a field that would allow you to see patients and perform procedures. Find more information about certification and examinations here. More Information about eligibility requirements here.
- *Cosmetic enhancement with procedures such as botulinum toxin injection require training and certification. More information here.
- *Aesthetic medicine involves a variety of procedures that range from hair removal to fillers. Find information about licensing here.
- *Electrodiagnostic medicine technicians work in electrophysiology labs. Find information about eligibility here and learn more about the work of an electrodiagnostic technician, the training and certification process here.
- *Ultrasound technicians and lab directors need to obtain training, courses and certification. Information can be found here.
- *Sleep medicine is a post residency specialty, but there are also certifications for non MDs and non residency trained professionals. See eligibility requirements here.
- *Personal trainers work with people who need fitness counseling and coaching. Fitness trainers must take courses and obtain certification. Find more information here.
Job options for MD's without residency training
Technical writing/scientific writing
Writing is an option for physicians who want to work for pharmaceutical companies or medical media companies to write grants, clinical trials reports, basic science studies, applications for approval of new medical products and safety inserts, among other assignments. Writing should be impeccable and sometimes fluency in another language or translating capabilities are a plus.
Medical editing
Medical textbook publishers and medical journal publishers often employ writers and editors with a health background for copywriting and editing assignments. These jobs do not require residency training or a medical license.
Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaceutical companies have jobs for physicians who are not licensed or board certified. These jobs are in the areas of clinical trials, basic science research, product development, marketing, administration and finance.
Pharmaceutical sales and pharmaceutical liaison positions generally do not require an MD and there are international medical graduates who find jobs in pharmaceutical sales or pharmaceutical liaison.
Business
Financial firms that have investments in healthcare companies hire MD's to review and report on investments. These are generally full time jobs that require travel and can provide opportunities for executive level promotions.
Health/medical instruction
Teaching at the medical school or university level is another career path for physicians. Most science departments in research universities employ full time faculty primarily for research and allow limited time for teaching courses, with research as the primary focus.
Researchers in major universities are usually required to obtain funding for research projects through grants. This requires research experience and proficiency with grants. Some colleges employ faculty for teaching jobs without a research obligation. Community colleges, nursing schools and chiropractic medicine schools are among the colleges that have full time and part time teaching positions for doctors without a research requirement.
Technical writing/scientific writing
Writing is an option for physicians who want to work for pharmaceutical companies or medical media companies to write grants, clinical trials reports, basic science studies, applications for approval of new medical products and safety inserts, among other assignments. Writing should be impeccable and sometimes fluency in another language or translating capabilities are a plus.
Medical editing
Medical textbook publishers and medical journal publishers often employ writers and editors with a health background for copywriting and editing assignments. These jobs do not require residency training or a medical license.
Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaceutical companies have jobs for physicians who are not licensed or board certified. These jobs are in the areas of clinical trials, basic science research, product development, marketing, administration and finance.
Pharmaceutical sales and pharmaceutical liaison positions generally do not require an MD and there are international medical graduates who find jobs in pharmaceutical sales or pharmaceutical liaison.
Business
Financial firms that have investments in healthcare companies hire MD's to review and report on investments. These are generally full time jobs that require travel and can provide opportunities for executive level promotions.
Health/medical instruction
Teaching at the medical school or university level is another career path for physicians. Most science departments in research universities employ full time faculty primarily for research and allow limited time for teaching courses, with research as the primary focus.
Researchers in major universities are usually required to obtain funding for research projects through grants. This requires research experience and proficiency with grants. Some colleges employ faculty for teaching jobs without a research obligation. Community colleges, nursing schools and chiropractic medicine schools are among the colleges that have full time and part time teaching positions for doctors without a research requirement.
Non-clinical job options that are usually not open to MD’s without residency training
Besides clinical practice, there are some non-clinical healthcare jobs that generally require a medical license or residency or board certification.
They include :
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and there are numerous examples of physicians who have achieved exceptional success without residency training. For more instructions on how to find a non-clinical job, explore nonclinicaldoctors.com or see Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine, available at most booksellers.
To find links to companies and job websites, visit the useful links page.
Besides clinical practice, there are some non-clinical healthcare jobs that generally require a medical license or residency or board certification.
They include :
- *Medical-legal work- usually requires clinical experience, licensing and board certification.
- *Health writing for the general public typically requires specialization and clinical experience in a prominent medical center.
- *Chart review jobs, including healthcare utilization review and disability review, require board certification.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and there are numerous examples of physicians who have achieved exceptional success without residency training. For more instructions on how to find a non-clinical job, explore nonclinicaldoctors.com or see Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine, available at most booksellers.
To find links to companies and job websites, visit the useful links page.
