The various types of residencies are listed below. These are unofficial assignments derived from published materials and are offered only for information. Many specialties offer advanced fellowship training after residency (typically one to three years). Consult the current AMA Graduate Medical Education Directory (the Green Book) for the official requirements and required length of advanced training.
Specialty |
Length of Training* |
Anesthesiology | 3 years plus PGY-1 Transitional/Preliminary |
Dermatology | 3 years plus PGY-1 Transitional/Preliminary |
Emergency Medicine | 3-4 years |
Family Practice | 3 years |
General Surgery | 5 years |
Internal Medicine | 3 years |
Neurology | 3 years plus PGY-1 Transitional/Preliminary |
Neurosurgery | 7 years |
Obstetrics/Gynecology | 4 years |
Ophthalmology | 3 years plus PGY-1 Transitional/Preliminary |
Orthopedic Surgery | 5 years (includes one year of general surgery) |
Otolaryngology | 5 years |
Pathology | 4 years |
Pediatrics | 3 years |
Physical Medicine | 3-4 years |
Plastic Surgery | 6 years |
Psychiatry | 4 years |
Radiation Oncology | 4 years plus PGY-1 Transitional/Preliminary |
Radiology, Diagnostic | 4 years plus PGY-1 Transitional/Preliminary |
Transitional/Preliminary | 1 year |
Urology | 5 years (includes one year of general surgery) |
*Minimum number of years of postgraduate training for eligibility for board certification