Graduating high school is the first step to becoming any type of doctor. A high grade point average and solid extracurricular activities are essential to gaining acceptance to a good college or university, which is important when applying to medical school.
A bachelor's degree is required to attend medical school in the United States. This degree does not have to be in the sciences, but certain prerequisites are necessary to apply, including a year each of biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, English and calculus. The MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), which tests knowledge in these areas, must be taken prior to applying.
Four years of medical school are required to become a medical doctor. The first two years are classroom courses that cover subjects such as anatomy, physiology and biochemistry; the final two years are clinical rotations that provide exposure to the various medical specialties. Medical students must successfully complete the first two steps of the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) in order to graduate.
An internal medicine residency is required after medical school. This is typically a three-year program in which the resident learns to become a primary care physician for adult patients.
A cardiology fellowship may be completed after a three-year internal medicine residency. The cardiology fellowship is three or more years long depending on the level of specialization. Upon completion of the fellowship, which involves clinical and research duties, the physician may practice as a cardiologist.
Board certification is not a requirement to practice, but a voluntary practice most physicians undergo to demonstrate their competence in their respective specialties. Certification requires an intense period of study that culminates with an extensive exam covering all aspects of the individual specialty. Physicians typically go through this process for each specialty in which they are eligible.