How long does residency take internal medicine?
Sarah Richards
Updated on July 29, 2026
Basic training in internal medicine is three years of residency (termed ‘categorical’ training) following medical school. Following completion of three years of training, residents are eligible for board certification in internal medicine.
Is it hard to get into internal medicine residency?
For example, despite the fact that Internal Medicine is categorized as a “less competitive” specialty, the most highly respected and renowned Internal Medicine residency programs are highly competitive and therefore difficult to get into.
How long does residency take for each specialty?
How Long is Each Residency?
| Residency | Length |
|---|---|
| General Surgery | 5-6 years |
| Internal Medicine | 4-6 years |
| Laboratory Medicine/Pathology | 4-5 years |
| Medical Genetics | 5 years |
How long is internal medicine school?
To become an internal medicine physician, you must first complete a 4-year medical school program followed by a 3-year intensive residency program in internal medicine. If you want to specialize in a subspecialty of internal medicine, you will then have to complete another 1 to 3 years of fellowship training.
What specialty has the longest residency?
neurological surgery
The length of residency depends mostly on the field a graduate chooses to take. Medical specialties such as family medicine and internal medicine often requires three years, whereas surgery usually requires a minimum of five, and neurological surgery is the longest at seven years.
How competitive is an internal medicine residency?
The overall competitiveness level of internal medicine is Low for a U.S. senior. With a Step 1 score of 200, the probability of matching is 89%. With a Step 1 score of >240, the probability is 99%.
What doctor has the longest residency?
The length of residency depends mostly on the field a graduate chooses to take. Medical specialties such as family medicine and internal medicine often requires three years, whereas surgery usually requires a minimum of five, and neurological surgery is the longest at seven years.
What is residency in internal medicine?
Internal Medicine residency programs are three years and sub-specialty fellowships extend training by two or more years. There are also dual training programs available that provide board-certification in IM as well as a second speciality.
What’s the shortest residency?
15 Shortest Residency Programs in the World
- Family Practice: 3 years.
- Internal Medicine: 3 years.
- Pediatrics: 3 years.
- Emergency Medicine: 3 – 4 years.
- Physical Medicine: 3-4 years.
- Obstetrics and Gynecology: 4 years.
- Anesthesiology: 3 years plus PGY – 1 Transitional / Preliminary.
