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how to become a doctor in texas
Many people who are interested in a job that allows them to combine their passions for science, modern medical technology and helping others seek a career in health care. Becoming a doctor allows people to make a difference in their communities and improve the lives of patients of all ages. Learning how to become a doctor in Texas can help you take the next step in pursuing this career path.
In this article, we explain what a doctor does, explore how to become a doctor in Texas and share the average salary and job outlook for doctors in the state.
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What does a doctor do?
A doctor, also called a physician, is a health care provider who provides helps patients overcome or manage illnesses, injuries and diseases by providing diagnoses, treatments and medical advice. They may also help patients prevent medical issues by developing nutrition and wellness plans, such as a healthy diet and exercise program. Doctors work in many areas of medicine and may treat patients of all ages, depending on their specialty. Some common duties of doctors include:
- Evaluating patients for specific medical conditions
- Performing wellness exams to detect early signs of potential medical issues
- Ordering laboratory and imaging tests to identify concerns
- Diagnosing patients based on symptoms and test results
- Recommending treatment plans that suit each patient’s needs
- Documenting each patient’s care and progress
- Addressing patient concerns and answering their questions
- Prescribing medications to help improve patients’ conditions and symptoms
- Collaborating with nursing staff to ensure quality patient care
Related: The Nine Levels of Doctors and Their Differences
How to become a doctor in Texas
Your process for becoming a doctor depends on certain factors, such as the specialty you choose and whether you pursue a fellowship. Here are the general steps you can take to become a doctor in Texas:
1. Earn an undergraduate degree
The first step in becoming a doctor is earning a bachelor’s degree. If you begin your undergraduate studies with a plan to pursue a career as a doctor, you may consider majoring in pre-medicine. This degree prepares students for the next step in their medical education by providing foundational knowledge of core science and mathematics classes. Other common bachelor’s degree options include biology, nursing and public health.
Medical schools often allow candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field to apply, so if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can skip this step. If you majored in a field with a science or mathematics focus, you may have the required knowledge to perform well in medical school. Otherwise, you might find it helpful to take additional college courses in these areas before taking the next step.
Related: 30 Medical Jobs You Can Get With a Bachelor’s Degree
2. Take the Medical College Admissions Test
Before applying to medical school, candidates take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This exam is a standardized test that ensures you have the basic knowledge required to succeed in a medical school program. The MCAT focuses mostly on scientific concepts in fields like biology, physics, psychology and chemistry and how they apply to the human body. It also contains sections on critical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning.
To achieve acceptance into top medical schools, many candidates strive for an MCAT score that places them in the 90th percentile or higher. You can take the MCAT up to three times in one year. You may improve your chances of success by joining an MCAT study group or pursuing test preparation programs and practice exams through organizations like the American Association of Medical Colleges.
Related: 9 Steps To Become a Physician
3. Apply to medical schools
Once you achieve your goal MCAT score, you can begin applying to medical schools. There are 14 medical schools in Texas, and there are many important factors to consider when choosing a school or schools you may be interested in attending. Some candidates apply to 10 or more universities, while those with some of the highest MCAT scores may apply to a few select programs. Applying to multiple medical schools may improve your chances of being accepted to one or more of them.
One essential factor you may consider when choosing a medical school is its focus. Some programs focus more on clinical practice, while others have an academic or research basis. Choosing accordingly can help you gain the knowledge and experience to excel in your chosen practice area. Other points to consider include the cost of tuition, whether you plan to live on campus and the social experiences the school offers.
Read more: Applying to Medical School: Tips and Requirements
4. Complete medical school
After receiving acceptance into medical school and choosing the program you want to attend, you can expect to spend the next four years completing your education. During the first two years, students complete coursework in the classroom and laboratory. Topics typically include the essential sciences, such as biology, anatomy and physiology and pharmacology. Students also learn approaches to caring for patients and legal issues in health care, which they can apply during the clinical phase of the program.
The clinical phase takes place during the third and fourth years of medical school, which allows you to observe and help doctors as they care for patients. Applying your knowledge and skills in different practice areas can help you improve them and decide which specialty you want to pursue. These experiences prepare you to take the first two sections of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The first part, which you complete during year three, covers basic medical principles. During year four, you can plan to take the second part of the exam, which covered diseases and diagnoses.
Related: 44 Common Medical School Interview Questions
5. Pursue a residency training program
After graduating from medical school, you’re ready to begin your residency. A residency is a program that allows doctors to work in the field under the supervision of experienced physicians in their practice area. By completing a residency, you can learn to apply your education to the specialty of your choice. Residency programs take three to seven years, depending on your specialty. Before finishing your residency, you take the last part of the USMLE exam, which focuses on your ability to practice medicine and manage patient care.
After completing your residency, you can begin your career as a doctor or pursue a fellowship. A fellowship program allows doctors to train in a subspecialty within their chosen practice area. For example, a doctor who specializes in psychiatry may pursue a fellowship in forensic psychiatry. Fellowship programs typically last one to three years.
Related: 7 Types of Integrative Medicine Fellowships You Can Pursue
7. Get a Texas medical license
Once you’ve completed your residency and fellowship, if you pursued one, you can begin seeking licensure. The first step is to take the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Exam, which ensures you have knowledge of Texas medical laws and Texas Medical Board (TMB) standards. The test has 50 questions, and a third party administers it online. A passing score of 75 or higher qualifies you for a Texas medical license.
After you pass the exam, you can register for your medical license through the Licensure Inquiry System of Texas (LIST). LIST is an online system where you can upload required documentation and communicate with the TMB about your licensure status. It may take several weeks to receive your license, but this time varies depending on how quickly you submit your documents, where you attended medical school and your professional background. The TMB issues medical licenses twice each month to candidates who have completed the application process in full and met each requirement.
Salary and job outlook for a doctor in Texas
Factors such as your specialty, your experience in the health care field and the area in Texas where you work may affect the salary you earn as a doctor. The average annual salary for a physician in Texas is $203,962 per year, but those who work in certain practice areas, have extensive experience or choose a high-demand specialty may earn more. According to the Texas Department of State Services, the state government expects high demand for the employment of many types of physicians between now and 2032, including:
- Internists
- Pediatricians
- Psychiatrists
- Vascular surgeons
- Infectious disease specialists
- Nephrologists
- Physiatrists
Physician Assistant StudiesAcademics & Accreditation
Program Goals
Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a master’s degree, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), and may sit for the national certifying examination to achieve licensure and certification. The UTMB Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program strives to:
- Maintain an applicant pool consisting of at least 24% first generation college students.
* The applicant pool for the cohort entering the UTMB PA program in 2021 was 20%. - Maintain a 95% or better three-year average graduation rate for students entering the UTMB PA program.
*As of 2020 the three-year average graduation rate for UTMB PA program is 100% - Maintain at least 50% of clinical rotation sites in low income zip codes (as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
*As of 2021 over 59% of clinical rotations were in low income zip codes. - Maintain a five-year first time PANCE pass rate above the national average.
* The five-year national mean first time taker average pass rate is 96%
* The five-year mean first time taker average pass rate for the UTMB PA Program is 97%
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2027. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at (Accreditation History – UTMB).
Physician Assistant StudiesAdmissions Requirements
Application Process
- CASPA Application. Complete and submit your CASPA application. It must be verified by September 1 (11:59 pm EST). Check the CASPA website for information regarding your application status. Report your GRE scores directly to CASPA. Note: Your application will be considered incomplete if there is missing information, including GRE scores, and/or documentation by the published deadlines, and will not be processed due to the volume of applications received.
- CASPA designations:
- Submitted: You will receive a confirmation e-mail that your menu reads as “Complete/Not Verified”.
- Verified: It may take four (4) weeks for your application to be reviewed from the date it becomes complete
- Mailed: UTMB Enrollment Services has your application for processing.
- CASPA designations:
- Altus Suite – Admissions Assessments of Non-Cognitive Skills
All applicants applying to the Physician Assistant Studies program, at University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston are required to complete an online suite of assessments (Altus Suite), to assist with our selection process.
Altus Suite consists of a two-part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. Altus Suite will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing Altus Suite, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
Altus Suite consists of:- CASPer: a 60-90 minute online situational judgment test (SJT)Snapshot: a 10-minute one-way interview with standardized questions
You will register for Altus Suite for the US Professional Health Sciences test (CSP-10101). Access www.TakeAltus.com to create an account and for more information on important dates and requirements, and the Altus Suite assessments
How to Complete Altus Suite
In order to take Altus Suite, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and audio capabilities. You will require the following for both account creation and completing Altus Suite:Government-issued photo IDValid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)Working webcamWorking microphoneReliable high-speed internet connection
- Please go to www.TakeAltus.com to sign up for Altus Suite for Physician Assistant (CSP-10101 – U.S. Professional Health Sciences), under your specific country, and register using your CASPA ID and a piece of government-issued photo ID.
- Select a CASPer test date. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly and that you have used for your application; there may be updates to the test schedule. Important: To account for identity verification and payment processing timeline, ensure that you register for your test at least three days before your preferred test date and time. Last-minute bookings are not recommended.
- Ensure you have selected University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston for distribution before the posted Distribution Deadline. Likely, there will be no additional tests scheduled, but the most up to date information can be found by browsing the Test Dates and Times on TakeAltus.com.
- You may complete Snapshot any time after you have registered for your CASPer test at www.TakeAltus.com and up to ten days after completing your CASPer test. After 10 days, you will no longer have access to Snapshot and your Altus Suite will be deemed incomplete.
- Please direct any inquiries on Altus Suite to support@altus.as. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen on the takeAltus.com website.
Accommodations: If you require testing accommodations for Altus Suite you will need to submit the Accommodations Request Form signed by you and your qualified professional 3 weeks in advance of your desired test date. More information regarding accommodations can be found here.
- CASPer: a 60-90 minute online situational judgment test (SJT)Snapshot: a 10-minute one-way interview with standardized questions
- PA-CAT (Recommended). All applicants to The University of Texas Medical Branch Physician Assistant Program are encouraged to complete the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT). The PA-CAT assesses the foundational science knowledge of applicants to measure the preparedness for the rigorous PA curriculum. The subjects covered on the PA-CAT include anatomy, physiology, general biology, biochemistry, general and organic chemistry, microbiology, behavioral sciences, genetics, and statistics. Please go to www.pa-cat.com/register-and-schedule/ to register and schedule your exam at a Prometric Test Center. Candidates must register at least 30 days prior to their desired test date. It may take up to six weeks to receive scores so take the exam early in the application process. Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@pa-cat.com. For more information regarding what is covered on the PA-CAT, please see the official PA-CAT website: www.pa-cat.com/about-the-pa-cat. A study guide as well as sample questions and a practice exam are available. Special accommodations are available upon request.
- Supplemental Application. Complete and submit your supplemental application once UTMB Enrollment Services receives and processes your CASPA application. Applicants will also need to send payment. Once both are received, applicants will be given a UTMB ID number for access to MyStar.
- The UTMB PAS Department will notify all applicants via email when their applications have been received and when the admissions decision has been made. Please allow several weeks for processing.
- UTMB has a rolling admissions process; therefore, your application is open until you hear from us with a final decision. If you do not hear from us by December 15, please contact us (409) 772-3048 or email addonnel@utmb.edu to inquire about the status of your application.
- Visiting the campus is often times the best way for a prospective student to get a complete picture of a university and its program. We invite you to visit our campus during one of our upcoming Open House dates. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://som.utmb.edu/physician-assistant/open-house. Unfortunately due to teaching and other program commitments, we are unable to offer individual counseling. If you are accepted for an interview; however, we will meet with you individually to review missing prerequisite courses. Our interviews are scheduled early enough that you have the opportunity to register for any missing courses in the spring semester. We are excited that you are considering UTMB for your higher education goals.
- Preference given to Texas residents, however, all applicants are considered.
- If you are accepted, you will be required to pay a deposit of $1,000 for a position in the class, which is payable at the time you accept admission. This deposit is non-refundable. Instructions for this process will be included in the acceptance letter.
Applications must be marked VERIFIED by September 1. It may take up to four or more weeks from your complete date for your application to be verified.
To be considered for admission to the Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program, applicants must present official documentation of the following student competencies:
- GPA
- Overall GPA Minimum: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Science GPA Minimum: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Biological sciences, microbiology/bacteriology, immunology/virology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, chemistry, organic chemistry/biochemistry for undergraduate and graduate courses)
- GRE (required), CASPer (required), and PA-CAT (recommended)
- All GRE scores must be sent to CASPA using code 0437, even if you are a re-applicant or have already sent the score directly to UTMB. Your name must match exactly on both the GRE and CASPA application.
- UTMB has no minimum score for GRE. Official GRE scores from ETS deadline is September 1.
- CASPer assessment is required. You may register for a CASPer test date after you receive your CASPA ID.
- PA-CAT scores must be sent to the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston using code TX4309.
- PREREQUISITES (see specific courses below)
- All completed prerequisite courses must be passed with grades of “C” or better.
- All prerequisite credits and receipt of the bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university must be completed no later than the end of the spring semester of the year of matriculation.
- The UTMB PA Program does not accept prior learning experience to fulfill prerequisites and/or professional coursework credit.
- All completed prerequisite courses must be passed with letter grades of “C” or better and recorded on the official transcript.
- Prerequisite coursework must be completed within the last ten years from the September 1 deadline date.
- Prior learning experiences (courses at another PA program or health care program), continuing education, CME, and/or workforce credits are not counted to fulfill prerequisite courses
- All science courses must be designated for “science majors.” Distance learning or online courses are accepted to meet the prerequisite requirements
- The CASPA application, official transcripts, and supporting documents must be completed and submitted on or before the published deadline.
- Graduation Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted to CASPA.
- Appropriate fees must be paid to CASPA and UTMB.
All completed prerequisite courses must be passed with letter grades of “C” or better and recorded on the official transcript.
Prior learning experiences (courses at another PA program or health care program), continuing education, CME, and/or workforce credits are not counted to fulfill prerequisite courses
Total Credit Hours: 47 (50)
These are the prerequisites required of Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) applicants:
| PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences with Lab | 8 |
| Microbiology/Bacteriology with Lab | 3-4* |
| Immunology/Virology | 3 |
| Genetics without Lab | 3 |
| Human Anatomy with Lab | 4 |
| Human Physiology with Lab | 4 |
| Chemistry with Lab | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry with Lab | 3-4* |
| Behavioral Sciences | 6 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Medical Terminology | 2-3 |
* Note: Only if your institution does not offer a lab with these courses will you be exempt from the lab requirement.
pa schools in Texas
Baylor College of Medicine PA Program
1 Baylor Plaza
Physician Assistant Program, M108
Houston, TX 77030
713-798-3663
paprogram@bcm.edu
Accepted- Evan
Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene) PA Program
1149 Ambler Avenue
Box 16236
Abilene, TX 79698
325-670-1702
PAdept@hsutx.edu
Interservice (IPAP)
Interservice PA Program
3599 Winfield Scott Road
Academy of Health Sciences, Graduate School
JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6130
210-221-6776
adrienne.m.kramer.mil@mail.mil
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center PA Program
TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, MS 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430
806-743-3220
health.professions@ttuhsc.edu
University of Mary Hardin – Baylor PA Program
900 College Street, Box 8402
Belton, TX 76513
254-295-5444
paprogram@umhb.edu
University of North Texas Health Sciences Center – Fort Worth PA Program
UNT Health Science Center
UNT Admissions 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-735-2003
paadmissions@unthsc.edu
Accepted: Ashley
University of Texas – Health Sciences Center at San Antonio PA Program
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 6249
San Antonio, TX 78229
210-567-4240
pastudies@uthscsa.edu
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston PA Program
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77555-1145
409-772-3048
pasadmis@utmb.edu
Accepted – An
Accepted- Jeremiah
Accepted- Jennifer
University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley PA Program
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
956-665-2298
maria.davila@utrgv.edu
UT Southwestern – School of Health Professions PA Program
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75390-9090
214-648-1701
PASSHP@UTSouthwestern.edu
West Coast University – Texas
2323 N. Central Expressway
Richardson, TX 75080
(214) 453-4533
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