How to Become an OB/GYN in 2025 | Education, Training & Career Steps

Becoming an OB/GYN takes commitment, compassion, and over a decade of rigorous education and clinical training. This guide breaks down every step you need to take, from undergraduate preparation to board certification. We’ll also explore OB/GYN responsibilities, differences between obstetrics and gynecology, and what to expect from this rewarding career.

Understanding the OB/GYN Role

OB/GYNs, or obstetrician-gynecologists, are physicians who specialize in women’s reproductive health. They provide care across every life stage—from adolescence to menopause—and address everything from pregnancy and childbirth to reproductive system disorders and preventive care.

OB/GYNs often work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Many choose to specialize further in areas like maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, or gynecologic oncology.

OB vs GYN: What's the Difference?

Although OB/GYN is one combined specialty, it includes two distinct fields.

What Is Obstetrics?

Obstetrics focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Obstetricians manage prenatal care, labor and delivery, and complications during pregnancy. They also offer family planning services and treat reproductive issues related to pregnancy.

What Is Gynecology?

Gynecology deals with the female reproductive system outside of pregnancy. Gynecologists screen for and treat conditions like menstrual disorders, infections, infertility, and cancers of the reproductive organs. They also perform routine exams such as Pap smears and pelvic exams.

Why Most Doctors Choose OB/GYN

Many physicians opt to train and practice in both areas. This dual expertise allows them to offer comprehensive care to women across all stages of life, whether they are pregnant or not.

Step-by-Step: How to Become an OB/GYN

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Before applying to medical school, students must earn a bachelor’s degree. Most students major in biology, chemistry, or related sciences to meet medical school prerequisites, which often include:

• General Biology with lab
• General and Organic Chemistry
• Physics
• English or writing-intensive courses
• Math or statistics

While science majors are common, students are encouraged to take humanities and communication courses as well to develop well-rounded critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

Step 2: Gain Healthcare Experience

Hands-on healthcare exposure is essential before applying to medical school. It demonstrates your interest in medicine and your ability to thrive in clinical settings.

Options include:

• Volunteering at hospitals or clinics
• Assisting with patient care in long-term care homes
• Shadowing physicians
• Participating in global health internships like Go Elective's pre-med internships in Kenya and Tanzania

These experiences help clarify your interest in women’s health and develop foundational clinical skills early on.

Step 3: Take the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) assesses your understanding of:

• Biological and biochemical systems
• Physical and chemical foundations of living systems
• Psychological, social, and biological behavior
• Critical analysis and reasoning skills

The MCAT is a key part of your application to medical school. Most students take it during their junior or senior year of college, and strong scores are essential for competitiveness.

Step 4: Apply to Medical School

After completing undergraduate studies and the MCAT, the next step is applying to medical school. Applications typically include:

• Academic transcripts
• MCAT scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement and secondary essays
• Description of clinical, volunteer, and research experiences

Most U.S. medical schools use the AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) portal for primary applications.

Step 5: Complete Medical School

Medical school takes four years and includes two phases:

Preclinical Years (Years 1-2): Focused on classroom and lab-based learning in anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and ethics.

Clinical Years (Years 3-4): Students rotate through various specialties, including OB/GYN, gaining hands-on experience in real patient care. Students interested in OB/GYN should pursue electives in women’s health, prenatal care, and surgery.

Medical students also complete the first two steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2) before graduation.

Step 6: Match into an OB/GYN Residency Program

Residency is where physicians receive specialized training in OB/GYN. This four-year program includes rotations in:

• Prenatal care
• Labor and delivery
• Gynecologic surgery
• Reproductive endocrinology
• Preventive and ambulatory care

Residency is highly competitive. Strong letters of recommendation, high USMLE Step 2 scores, and meaningful OB/GYN experiences increase your chances of matching into your desired program.

During residency, doctors take the USMLE Step 3 exam to become eligible for licensure.

Step 7: Get Board Certified by ABOG

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) certifies OB/GYNs who demonstrate the knowledge and clinical competence to provide safe, high-quality care. Certification involves:

• Completing an accredited OB/GYN residency
• Passing a written qualifying exam
• Submitting case lists for review
• Passing an oral certification exam

Many OB/GYNs also complete Maintenance of Certification (MOC) every six years and Continuing Medical Education (CME) every two years to remain current.

Step 8: Obtain a State Medical License

To legally practice medicine, physicians must obtain a medical license in the state they wish to work in. Licensing requirements vary but generally include:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school
• Completion of an accredited residency
• Passing USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3

Licensing boards may also require fingerprinting, background checks, and ethics training.

Step 9: Consider Fellowship Training

OB/GYNs may choose to specialize further by completing a fellowship in one of the following areas:

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine

Fellowships typically last 2–3 years and lead to additional board certification in that subspecialty.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) for OB/GYNs

CME helps OB/GYNs stay up to date on medical innovations, guidelines, and best practices. Most states and healthcare employers require physicians to complete CME annually to retain licensure and certification.

OB/GYN Salary and Career Outlook

OB/GYNs are consistently ranked among the highest-paid and most in-demand medical specialties.

OB/GYN Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Median annual salary: $208,000+
• Top earners: Over $270,000
• Lowest 10%: Around $120,000

Salaries vary by practice setting, location, years of experience, and subspecialty. OB/GYNs in hospital systems or multispecialty practices tend to earn more than those in academic or outpatient settings.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for OB/GYNs remains strong, with a projected growth of 15% over the coming years. As the global population grows and women’s health needs evolve, OB/GYNs will continue to play a critical role in healthcare delivery.

OB/GYN Responsibilities and Required Skills

Common OB/GYN Duties

• Prenatal and postnatal care
• Managing labor and childbirth
• Gynecologic exams and screenings
• Diagnosing reproductive disorders
• Performing surgeries such as cesarean sections or hysterectomies
• Providing fertility treatments and family planning services
  
  

Key Skills for OB/GYNs

• Strong clinical decision-making
• Emotional resilience and compassion
• Communication and counseling skills
• Manual dexterity for surgery
• Attention to detail and time management
• The ability to remain calm under pressure
  
  

Build Clinical Experience with Pre-Med Internships

One of the best ways to explore the OB/GYN field before medical school is through a pre-med internship. Go Elective offers immersive medical internships in Kenya and Tanzania, where you can:

• Shadow OB/GYNs in real clinical settings
• Observe live births and prenatal care
• Participate in maternal and reproductive health outreach
• Gain global health exposure while serving underserved communities

These guided hands-on clinical experiences help strengthen your application and prepare you for the realities of clinical work.

Your Journey to Becoming an OB/GYN Starts Now

From college to board certification, the journey to becoming an OB/GYN is challenging—but incredibly fulfilling. Whether your passion lies in delivering babies, performing surgery, or advancing women’s health globally, OB/GYN offers a dynamic career filled with purpose.

Explore how Go Elective’s clinical internships can support your journey, and take the next step toward a meaningful medical career.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 10, 2025