At what age can you become a doctor?

The age at which you can become a doctor depends on your ability to complete the extensive schooling, exams, and medical training required. In the United States, technically the minimum age to become a doctor is 18, however, with around 11 years of higher education and residency training. Unfortunately, there is no Doogie Howser, M.D. out there, but the youngest doctor in the world is Balamurali Ambati, who became a doctor at the age of 17 in 1995.

In the United States, it typically takes 8-12 years to become a doctor, including four years of medical school and three to seven years of residency training. Depending on the specialty, some doctors may continue their training for an additional fellowship year. Most physicians complete their medical education and begin practice around age 30.