Osteopathic physicians, who hold the DO degree, are fully licensed doctors who practice in every specialty, with additional training in a whole-person approach to care. If you are considering this path, here is how to become an osteopathic physician. Figures are approximate and change, so verify current details.
What a DO Is
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or DO, is a fully licensed physician equivalent to an MD, able to prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in all specialties. DOs receive the same core medical training as MDs, plus additional instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine, a hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment, and an emphasis on treating the whole person. More than a quarter of US physicians are now DOs, and the two degrees are widely regarded as equal.
The Education Path
Becoming a DO takes roughly 11 or more years after high school, similar to the MD path. You earn a bachelor degree with pre-medical prerequisites, then attend a four-year osteopathic medical school, followed by a residency of three or more years depending on your specialty. The first two years of medical school focus on sciences and the last two on clinical training, plus the added osteopathic coursework throughout.
Applying and Licensing
You apply to osteopathic medical schools through the AACOMAS centralized application, with dozens of accredited colleges across the country. For licensing, DOs take the COMLEX-USA exam sequence, accepted for licensure in all 50 states, and many DOs also take the USMLE to broaden their residency options. After residency, you obtain a state license and pursue specialty board certification, just as MDs do.
Salary and Specialties
Because DOs practice in all specialties, their earnings match those of MD physicians in the same fields, driven by specialty and setting rather than the degree itself. DOs are especially well represented in primary care, though they work everywhere from surgery to psychiatry. Choosing between the MD and DO paths is less about income and more about fit, since both lead to the same profession with comparable opportunities and pay.
The Cost and How to Fund It
Osteopathic medical school carries the same high tuition and debt profile as MD training, so most DO graduates finish with substantial loans. The same funding options apply: the military Health Professions Scholarship Program can cover the cost in exchange for service, Public Service Loan Forgiveness can forgive loans for those at nonprofit or government employers, and the National Health Service Corps repays loans for those in shortage areas, which fits the many DOs entering primary care. See our guide to loan forgiveness for healthcare workers for details.
Is the DO Path Right for You?
The DO path suits people drawn to a whole-person, hands-on approach to medicine who want to become fully licensed physicians. It offers the same career opportunities as the MD path, with its own philosophy of care. If the osteopathic approach resonates with you, becoming a DO is an excellent route into medicine, and you should choose based on fit rather than any perceived difference in the profession itself.
Steps to Get Started Now
The path to becoming a DO starts like any medical career. In college, earn a strong GPA and complete pre-medical prerequisites, and gain clinical exposure, ideally including shadowing a DO to understand the osteopathic approach. Prepare for the MCAT and apply through AACOMAS. Because osteopathic schools value the whole-person philosophy, conveying genuine interest in that approach strengthens your application. From there, the path mirrors any physician career through medical school and residency.
Should I choose MD or DO?
Choose based on fit, since both lead to the same profession with comparable pay and opportunities. The DO path adds a whole-person, hands-on emphasis.
Osteopathic Physician FAQs
Is a DO the same as an MD?
A DO is a fully licensed physician equivalent to an MD, with added training in osteopathic manipulative medicine and a whole-person approach.
How long does it take to become a DO?
About 11 or more years after high school, including four years of osteopathic medical school and residency.
How do I apply to osteopathic school?
Through the AACOMAS centralized application, to one of dozens of accredited osteopathic colleges.
What licensing exam do DOs take?
The COMLEX-USA sequence, accepted in all 50 states, and many DOs also take the USMLE.
Do DOs earn the same as MDs?
Yes, earnings are driven by specialty and setting, not the degree, so DOs and MDs in the same field earn comparably.
Can DOs specialize?
Yes. DOs practice in all specialties, from primary care to surgery.
Education, certification, licensing, and hiring requirements vary by state, employer, and specialty, so confirm the rules that apply to you.
