wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They include: A career as an OB-GYN requires that candidates complete medical school and obtain a license to practice medicine. Your experience in the field of obstetrics also must be within the past 24 months. It will take about 12 years before you can become an OB/GYN. OB-GYNs are required to complete an internship and residency after medical school that lasts a minimum of four years and possibly up to seven, depending on their specialty. An internship is often required as a prerequisite to an OB-GYN residency. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Don’t be afraid to make changes depending on your interests. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You should also do a 4-year residency. These vary depending on your location. If you are interested in this profession, learn about the long and challenging road to becoming an OB/GYN, and about how to get your dream job in this field. References We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Do online research to see which medical schools have the best rankings in the area of OB/GYN. U.S. News and World Report has one of the most comprehensive rankings for American schools. If you're eligible, you'll receive an email with information on how to schedule your exam appointment. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 227,820 times. The healthcare environments that OB-GYNs work in typically have these characteristics: Office environments usually have the following characteristics: OB-GYNs typically work in clinics, hospitals, birthing facilities and other healthcare facilities. An OB-GYN is a doctor who specializes in obstetrics (pregnancy) and gynecology (female reproductive health). This article received 14 testimonials and 96% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. How many years of school (after high school) do I have to do? For example, gynecologic oncologists generally make well over $400,000 a year, while general OB/GYNs typically earn over $200,000 a year. OB/GYN malpractice insurance premiums are among the highest for physicians, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. Complete your residency: After obtaining your license, apply for an internship and then a residency program. The certification lasts for six years and board-certified OB-GYNs must complete certain requirements each year to maintain their certification. Talk to a local OB/GYN nurse to find out what you need to do. You can access these career centers without joining the associations. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Become-an-Ob-Gyn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Ob-Gyn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Become-an-Ob-Gyn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1135547-v4-728px-Become-an-Ob-Gyn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"