How to Become a Psychiatrist

Key Steps to Becoming a Psychiatrist

To become a psychiatrist, you must earn a bachelor’s degree, take the MCAT, graduate from medical school (MD or DO), complete a four-year psychiatry residency, obtain state licensure, and become board-certified.

Here is the accurate step-by-step path:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Complete a four-year undergraduate degree that allows you to finish the typical medical school prerequisites, including biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. Your pre-med major does not matter as long as you complete the required coursework and maintain a strong GPA.

2. Take the MCAT

Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), as the majority of schools require MCAT scores as part of their application process. The higher your score, the more competitive your application is from an academic standpoint. 

3. Apply to and Get Into Medical School

Once you’ve completed all prerequisite coursework, you can apply to medical school. Top medical schools for psychiatry are highly selective, so you must present strong academic performance, competitive MCAT scores, clinical exposure, and clear motivation for medicine to earn acceptance.

Many applicants choose to get medical school application assistance from experts to refine their personal statement, activity descriptions, and interview strategy before submitting.

Once you’re accepted to medical school, it will take four years to complete your MD or DO. The first two years focus on foundational sciences. The final two years include clinical rotations in specialties such as psychiatry, internal medicine, pediatrics, and neurology.

Both MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) graduates can become psychiatrists. Training standards and residency pathways are equivalent.

4. Complete a Psychiatry Residency

Match into and complete a four-year accredited psychiatry residency program. Psychiatry residency positions attract a high volume of applicants for limited positions each year, so you must demonstrate strong clinical performance, solid board scores, and meaningful psychiatry exposure during medical school. 

During residency, you train in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction, emergency psychiatry, and inpatient and outpatient care.

5. Obtain Licensure and Board Certification 

Pass required licensing exams (USMLE for MDs or COMLEX for DOs), obtain state licensure, and pursue board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

6. Pursue a Fellowship to Further Specialize

Some psychiatrists choose to complete an additional fellowship to subspecialize. Fellowship training typically lasts one to two years, depending on the field. Your total training time will increase if you pursue one of these advanced pathways.

FAQs: Becoming a Psychiatrist

Where Do Psychiatrists Work?

Psychiatrists can work in:

• Hospitals
• Long-term care homes
• Clinics 
• Private offices
• Courts/prisons
• Community health centers
• Government agencies

How is a Psychiatrist Different From a Psychologist? 

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists attend medical school, complete a psychiatry residency, diagnose mental health disorders, prescribe medication, and can provide psychotherapy.

A psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD). Psychologists diagnose mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy, and conduct psychological testing, but they do not attend medical school. In most U.S. states, psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

Can I Become a Psychiatrist Without Going to Medical School? 

No, you cannot become a psychiatrist without going to med school, as psychiatrists are licensed physicians. You must graduate from med school and become an MD or DO to become a psychiatrist. 

Are There a Lot of Job Opportunities in Psychiatry?

Yes, psychiatry offers strong job opportunities nationwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for physicians, including psychiatrists, is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. Many regions, particularly rural and underserved areas, face significant psychiatrist shortages, which increases hiring demand.

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Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.