Becoming a dermatologist in Texas is a long and competitive process. The most important thing to know about becoming a dermatologist in this state is that you will need two essential qualifications before applying for your practice license.
One necessary condition for you to practice is that you will have to graduate from an accredited medical school. To become a dermatologist, you’ll need to earn a medical degree and complete a dermatology residency. After that, you’ll have to pass your board exams and apply for a license in Texas.
Below are some ways to become a dermatologist in Texas
1. Earn Your Medical Degree
To become a dermatologist in Texas, you must first earn your medical degree from an accredited university. There are two types of medical degrees available:
Doctor of Medicine (MD) — This standard medical degree requires three years of study at an accredited school. During your studies, you’ll complete classroom work and clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) — This type of doctor is trained in osteopathic and standard medicine. To become a DO, students enroll at an osteopathic college and complete four years of study. While most DOs choose to go on to specialize in either standard or osteopathic medicine after graduation, some choose to practice both by becoming MD/DO general practitioners (MD/DOs).
2. Complete An Internship
After obtaining your medical degree, you must complete an internship before becoming certified in dermatology. During this year-long program, you’ll work closely with experienced physicians in clinical and surgical settings. An internship involves working under supervision to gain hands-on experience before entering your residency program.
During this time, you will receive training in diagnosing and treating skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. This is also where you’ll learn about billing and coding, which are essential skills for any physician. Also, one may gain experience treating patients with different skin conditions in free clinics or clinics run by charities and other non-governmental institutions.
You could search for part-time or full-time dermatology jobs in Texas at a clinic – if they take you – to learn how doctors work. It is a great opportunity for you to learn what coding systems they use, how they care for patients, what procedures you have to master, and how a dermatology practice works in general.
3. Complete Medical School
After completing your internship, you must attend medical school for four years. In addition to learning about anatomy and physiology, you will take pharmacology, pathology, and microbiology courses and complete clinical rotations at various hospitals around your area under the supervision of licensed physicians who are experts in their field.
4. Complete Your Dermatology Residency
After completing medical school and passing the Medical Licensing Examination, you’ll want to apply for a dermatology residency program. Many hospitals across the country offer these programs, but few slots are available each year. Most programs take four years to complete, but some offer shorter three-year tracks.
During this time, you’ll work one-on-one with experienced physicians and other medical professionals to learn how to diagnose and treat skin issues. You’ll also gain experience working with patients and learning to communicate effectively with those with complex needs. At the end of each residency year, you will have to take exams related to your specialty area and pass them successfully before moving on to the next training phase.
5. Pass an Exam
Upon completing your residency program, it’s time for the next step toward becoming a licensed doctor — passing an exam that allows you to practice medicine independently in Texas (and potentially other states). The National Boards exam tests general knowledge about medicine and clinical examination skills. To pass this test, you need hours of supervised clinical experience in dermatology.
Bottom Line
You will have to study hard and get good grades in medical school to become a dermatologist. To become a licensed practitioner, you must go through undergraduate college education, medical school, and residency. You may be able to volunteer at a non-profit clinic where doctors treat people who cannot afford other hospitals. To be a dermatologist, you need patience with your patients, continuous education – as dermatology is an ever-evolving medical area – and a lot of case practice.
