What type of education is needed to become a rheumatologist?

To become a rheumatologist, one needs to complete the following education :

Undergraduate Education:

First, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. During your undergraduate studies, you must take courses in the sciences, especially biology, physics, and chemistry, as well as social sciences and humanities.

Medical School:

After completing your undergraduate education, you will need to attend medical school. This is a four-year program that provides training in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. During medical school, you will complete rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and other specialties.

Residency:

After medical school, you will need to complete a residency in internal medicine.

This involves spending three to four years training in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of internal medicine conditions.

Fellowship:

After completing your residency, you will need to complete a two- or three-year fellowship in rheumatology. During the fellowship, you will receive the training needed to diagnose and treat the different types of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Finally, to become a licensed rheumatologist, you will need to pass the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification exam in rheumatology. You must renew this certification every ten years to maintain your board-certified status.