Becoming a Pediatric Surgeon: Education and Training Timeline

Pediatric surgery is one of the longest training pathways in medicine.

Required Steps

1. Bachelor’s degree (4 years) – typically science major; prerequisite courses.
2. Medical school (4 years) – MD or DO.
3. General surgery residency (5 years) – ACGME-accredited.
4. Pediatric surgery fellowship (2 years) – ACGME-accredited; includes neonatal, fetal, oncology, trauma, thoracic, GI, urologic surgery in children.

Total Minimum Duration: 15 Years Post-High School

Some pursue additional fellowships (e.g., pediatric surgical oncology, fetal surgery) adding 1–2 years.

Certification

• American Board of Surgery (ABS) – General Surgery certifying exam
• ABS – Pediatric Surgery certifying exam (after fellowship)
• Maintenance of Certification (MOC) ongoing

Key Attributes

• Exceptional technical skill in small anatomy
• Deep understanding of pediatric physiology and development
• Ability to counsel families in high-stakes situations
• Commitment to lifelong learning in a rapidly evolving field