Both in Canada in the United States the basic requirements to become a doctor include a Bachelor’s degree, although, rarely, some students enter from 2nd or 3d year. Assume you will need 4 years before getting into medical school. Before you apply for medical school, you must write the MCAT exam that tests your knowledge across a broad spectrum of categories. This is why it is important for you to round out your science classes with social sciences as well. You may also discover a sub specialty that you are interested in while taking these extra classes.

Medical school lasts about 4 years. The first 2 years are spent refining your science education specifically in anatomy, chemistry and biochemistry. You learn how to take a medical history and proper diagnostic techniques. The second 2 years are spent working in a hospital environment. After 4 years of medical school, you will write an exam to obtain your MD. Then, an additional 3 to 7 years picking a specialty such as family medicine, psychiatry, dermatology, etc.

Whew! After all of that time, you will write an exam and obtain your certificate in the area of your choice.

The photo is neurosurgery on a patient suffering from Parkinson’s Disease; not some medieval torture device.