Students who wish to become anesthesiologists are required to complete a four-year undergraduate program of study. Many aspiring anesthesiologists earn undergraduate degrees in areas such as biology, chemistry or physics. Having a degree in the sciences, however, is not a requirement for most medical colleges, whether they are traditional medical schools or osteopathic schools. Both types of schools require an undergraduate degree as an admission requirement.
Following the completion of an undergraduate college degree, aspiring anesthesiologists are required to earn a medical degree from an accredited medical school or a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from an accredited osteopathic medical school. A medical degree is required to practice medicine, and medical degrees generally take four years for completion. During the initial two years of schooling, an emphasis is placed on theories and laboratory studies in sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology and physiology. During the final two years of medical school, students work in clinics and hospitals to gain experience.
Upon the completion of a four-year program of study at an accredited medical or osteopathic school, graduates wishing to be trained as anesthesiologists normally begin working in internships or residency programs that are specifically geared toward this area. Like medical school, medical residencies for anesthesiologists usually last for four years. A physician who has been trained at an osteopathic medical school is required to complete a one-year internship, followed by a residency program of three years or longer in order to specialize in anesthesiology.
The final steps on the path to becoming an anesthesiologist are taken when examinations are passed to completing licensing and board certification requirements. Licensing exams are administered by the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Board certification requirements are set and exams are administered the American Society of Anesthesiology (for medical doctors) or the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists (for osteopaths).