Mandatory Testing Required to Become a Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgeons provide a number of cosmetic and reconstructive surgical services, from body sculpting to cleft palate repair. The path to becoming a plastic surgeon is long and requires many years of training and testing.

High School

• The first step to becoming any sort of physician is to graduate high school with good grades and high scores on either the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, or the Admissions College Test, or ACT. These standardized tests consist of math and verbal sections, as well as an essay. Both are accepted by college admissions boards.

College

• The next step to becoming a physician is to do well in college, graduating with high grades, relevant extracurricular activities and high scores on the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT. The MCAT tests knowledge of biological sciences, physical sciences and verbal ability in addition to a written essay. Ten points are awarded for each of the three sections, allowing for a total score of 30. The written essay is given a letter grade. A score of 26 or higher is considered very competitive.

Medical School

• Along with passing course examinations and clinical rotations, the first two parts of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, must be taken. Known as the USMLE I and II, they are taken after the second and third years of medical school respectively. They test knowledge of basic sciences, clinical knowledge and the ability to perform a basic diagnostic examination and provide a differential diagnosis.

Post-Graduate Training

• After medical school, plastic surgeons must undergo six to nine years of residency and fellowship training. This includes taking the USMLE III, which is required for certification and a license to practice. It further tests the clinical skills expected of a recent medical school graduate.