Physician Training & Licensure

The first Osteopathic medical school, the American School of Osteopathy opened in 1892. Today there are 26 schools with 32 campuses. DO medical students complete 4 years of Osteopathic medical school, covering all of the standard training in the basic sciences and clinical medicine that an MD medical education would cover. Similarly, they receive two years of clinical training in hospitals, out-patient offices and clinics. Their training covers Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and all aspects of Internal Medicine. In addition, DO medical students complete another 500 hours of training and study in anatomy and manual medicine. Successful completion of this curriculum leads to a Doctor of Osteopathy degree (D.O.).

After medical school, The DO can pursue Internship and Residency training in any of the medical or surgical specialties, as well as in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. After this 3 year NMM residency, the DO can apply for Board Certification by the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. This process of certification is one of the most comprehensive board exams in either profession, including written, oral, and practical examinations.

These graduates will join over 70,000 DO’s already in practice in the USA. DO’s are licensed in all 50 states to practice the full spectrum of medicine and surgery, in addition to Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (Traditional Applied Osteopathy).