How to become a general practitioner in Virginia, VA

To become a general practitioner in Virginia, VA, you must first complete a bachelor's degree in a related field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-med. After completing your undergraduate degree, you must then attend medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Medical school typically takes four years to complete and includes both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.

After completing medical school, you must then complete a residency program in family medicine or internal medicine. Residency programs typically last three years and provide hands-on training in a clinical setting. During your residency, you will work under the supervision of experienced physicians and gain experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions.

Once you have completed your residency, you must then obtain a medical license from the Virginia Board of Medicine. To obtain a license, you must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). You must also complete a background check and meet other requirements set by the Virginia Board of Medicine.

After obtaining your medical license, you can then begin practicing as a general practitioner in Virginia. You may choose to work in a private practice, hospital, or other healthcare setting. To maintain your license and stay up-to-date with the latest medical advances, you must also complete continuing education courses and renew your license on a regular basis.