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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
This may be a dump question, but I'm not clear when a D.O. is able to practice. Does he/she need to complete a residency or can he/she open a
primary care private practice after the internship?
If anyone knows anything please let me know.
Thanks
This may be a dump question, but I'm not clear when a D.O. is able to practice. Does he/she need to complete a residency or can he/she open a
primary care private practice after the internship?
If anyone knows anything please let me know.
Thanks
I'm not sure about that...I think residency is for board certification. In the old days doctors would not do residencies and be called General Practitioners.
It depends on the state issuing your medical license. States can require anywhere from 1 to 3 years of residency minimum. I think that is why all residency programs are 3 years or more.
She is not alone in her question. I do research at a medical college (allopathic) and I bumped into a girl I know and she is a M1. I told her that I was applying to DO programs and she asked how many years it would take. So, it goes to show that some people do not know!