Doctor accreditation and qualification in the USA

The USA: Doctor accreditation

In the USA, doctors train at medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Entry requires four years of undergraduate training beforehand, and candidates must pass a Medical College Admission Test. Only around 18,000 of 47,000 applicants are accepted each year.

The qualification of Medical Doctor (MD) takes at least four years, followed by at least one year’s internship before graduates are allowed to practice in the USA.

Further training of between three and eight years is then required in order to become Board Accredited in a specialist field.

Doctors in the USA are monitored by the American medical Association (AMA) the USA equivalent of the General Medical Council (GMC). Standards are exceptionally high but any medical tourist should make sure they have chosen a doctor and a medical centre they are comfortable with, before embarking on the journey to the USA.

The USA: Cosmetic surgeon accreditation

To qualify as a cosmetic surgeon requires significant training beyond the basic MD qualification. Membership of the leading body, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires at least six years of general surgery and a minimum of three years cosmetic and plastic surgery training (although these may be concurrent). Members of the ASPS are also required to maintain continuing education, including the latest patient safety developments, and must sign up to a strict code of medical and professional ethics.

The USA: Dentist accreditation

To become a licensed dentist in the USA, a dental health professional must start by studying at one of the 56 dental schools accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) and pass a series of written and practical examinations.

Entry to dental school requires at least 2 years of college level pre-dental education, although many require a full degree. Dental training then takes around 4 years before students graduate and are awarded the qualification of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and issued with an ADA license to practice.

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