Becoming an neonatologist requires 3 years of formal clinical fellowship training in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) following 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency in pediatrics. We break it down step-by-step below.
The medical field is an expansive and increasingly complicated network of specialties and sub-specialties, each with their own unique training and certification requirements. The Career Series is here to help medical students navigate the road from medical student to practicing physician.
From Medical School to Practice: How to Become a Neonatologist
Timeline Overview
Step 1: Medical School
Medical school is a 4-year program consisting of 2 years of basic clinical sciences followed by 2 years of clinical rotations.
Years 1 and 2
While patient contact is somewhat limited during the first 2 years of medical school, most universities have resources for students to connect with departments they are interested in through research or shadowing opportunities. Students that think they may be interested in pursuing a career as a neonatologist can begin connecting with neonatologists at their university hospital to learn more about the field.
Following their second year, students will take the first of 3 “Step” exams required for US medical licensing (Step 1).
Years 3 and 4
During the third and fourth years of medical school, students complete their clinical rotations. Each rotation lasts between 4-6 weeks with the “core” clinical rotations generally including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine, psychiatry, neurology, and radiology.
Following their third year, students will take the second of 3 “Step” exams required for US medical licensing (Step 2).
Once the core rotations are complete, usually by the beginning of year 4, students can take a number of elective rotations in departments of their choice. Students interested in a career as a neonatologist can apply to take one of a small number of elective rotations in neonatology or neonatal intensive care (NICU) at their university hospital or at another teaching hospital within the US (with their medical school’s approval). This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about hospitals where they are considering applying for a residency position, and to network with other physicians there.
In the fourth and final year of medical school students will also begin their applications to residency programs through the online centralized application system “ERAS”. Students interested in neonatology can apply to a residency program in pediatrics. After completing residency, they can then apply to a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine.
Step 2: Residency
Pediatrics is the only specialty that allows for future sub-specialization in neonatology. So a neonatologist will generally begin their career with a 3 year residency in pediatrics where they will get well-rounded experience with a variety of child and infant disease. Residents will take the third of 3 “Step” exams required for US medical licensing following their first year of residency (Step 3). In the final year of residency, those interested in a neonatology subspecialty can begin applying for fellowships.
After completing their residency program, physicians must then take the pediatrics board exam through the American Board of Pediatrics. Most fellowship programs will require their physicians to have passed this board exam before beginning their fellowship training.
Step 3: Fellowship
Sub-specializing in neonatology then requires a 2-year fellowship program in neonatal-perinatal medicine after initial residency training and board certification. This fellowship training generally consists of clinical and research experience in a broad range of neonatal and perinatal disease.
Upon completing fellowship training, these physicians will take a second board exam to attain board certification in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the American Board of Pediatrics. This is in addition to their first board exam taken after residency to attain board certification in pediatrics.
Once achieving board certification, physicians can apply to positions as a practicing neonatologists at any US hospital.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a neonatologist totals at least 10 years of formal training from medical school to fellowship. But it is an incredibly rewarding field for those who are determined. Medical or pre-medical students interested in neonatology and NICU medicine should connect with local physicians in this department. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the lifestyle factors that come with a career as a neonatologist.
