How to become a psychiatrist in Florida, FL

To become a psychiatrist in Florida, one must first complete a bachelor's degree in a related field such as psychology, biology, or pre-med. After completing the undergraduate degree, one must then attend medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. During medical school, students will take courses in psychiatry, neurology, and other related fields. After completing medical school, aspiring psychiatrists must complete a residency program in psychiatry, which typically lasts four years. During the residency, psychiatrists will receive hands-on training in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. After completing the residency, psychiatrists must obtain a license to practice medicine in the state of Florida. This involves passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) and completing a certain number of hours of supervised clinical practice. Once licensed, psychiatrists can begin practicing in Florida and may choose to specialize in a particular area of psychiatry, such as child and adolescent psychiatry or addiction psychiatry. Continuing education is also required to maintain licensure and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.