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Medical residency is one step in the process toward becoming a doctor. The length of a doctor’s residency training largely depends on the specialty they choose. Let’s take a look at medical specialties and how long their training programs are.
Average Length of Medical Residency by Specialty
Residency lengths vary by specialty. Most residencies last three to four years. The longest residency programs are neurosurgery (seven years) and plastic surgery (six to eight years).
Here’s a list of the average length of medical residencies by specialty, plus any additional training that may be optional or required:
| Medical Specialty | Average Length of Residency Program (including PGY-1 years, if applicable) | Additional Training |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy & immunology | 3-4 years | 2-3 year fellowship (required) |
| Anesthesiology | 4 years | 1-2 year fellowship (optional) |
| Cardiology | 3 years | 3-year fellowship (required) |
| Critical care | 4 years | 2-year fellowship (required) |
| Dermatology | 4 years | 1-year fellowship (optional) |
| Diabetes & endocrinology | 3-4 years | 2-3 year fellowship (required) |
| Emergency medicine | 3-4 years | |
| Family medicine | 3-4 years | |
| Gastroenterology | 3 years | 3-year fellowship (required) |
| General surgery | 5 years | |
| Internal medicine | 3-4 years | |
| Nephrology | 3 years | 2-3 year fellowship (required) |
| Neurology | 3-4 years | 1-2 year fellowship (optional) |
| Neurosurgery | 7 years | 1-2 year fellowship (optional) |
| Obstetrics & gynecology | 4 years | |
| Oncology | 5 years | 2-year fellowship (optional) |
| Ophthalmology | 4-5 years | 1-2 year fellowship (optional) |
| Orthopedics | 5 years | |
| Otolaryngology | 5 years | 2-year fellowship (optional) |
| Pathology | 3-4 years | 2-year fellowship (optional) |
| Pediatrics | 3 years | |
| Physical medicine & rehabilitation | 3-4 years | |
| Plastic surgery | 6-8 years | 1-year fellowship (required) |
| Preventive medicine | 3-4 years | |
| Psychiatry | 4-5 years | 1-2 year fellowship (optional) |
| Pulmonary medicine | 3 years | 2-3 year fellowship (required) |
| Radiology | 4-5 years | 1-year fellowship (optional) |
| Urology | 5 years | 1-3 year fellowship (optional) |
This data was compiled from a number of resources including Washington University in St. Louis, MedEdits, MedSchool Insiders and American Medical Association.
What Specialty Has the Shortest Residency Length?
The shortest medical residency programs include internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, preventive medicine and pediatrics.
What Specialty Has the Longest Residency Length?
Neurosurgery and plastic surgery have the longest residency programs.
Should Length of Residency Impact Your Choice of Specialty?
The short answer is no. When choosing your specialty, it is important to pick an option you feel passionate about, regardless of length of training.
Though it’s important to know how long residency will take prior to going into it, we don’t recommend choosing solely on that one factor. Doing so may lead to unhappiness in the future if you are stuck in a specialty you don’t enjoy.
How Residency Impacts Medical Residents
It’s no secret that residency can be challenging for many trainees. It consists of years of working long hours with little pay. We asked current residents and fellows about their experiences and feedback on compensation, debt, stress, satisfaction and more.
Understand how residents feel about their time in training here.
Learn More About Residency
We have many resources for those beginning or in residency. Visit our Resources page or check out one of our curated picks to learn more:
