Dermatology residency typically lasts a total of four years, which includes one preliminary or transitional year (PGY-1) followed by three years of core dermatology specialty training (PGY-2 to PGY-4).
Residency Structure
- The first year (PGY-1) is a broad clinical foundation year, often called the internship or transitional year. It may include rotations in internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, or other specialties to build general clinical skills.
- The following three years (PGY-2 to PGY-4) focus on specialized dermatology training encompassing outpatient and inpatient dermatology, dermatopathology, dermatologic surgery, pediatric dermatology, and other subspecialties.
- By the end of the fourth year, residents are prepared to take the American Board of Dermatology certification exam and begin independent practice.
This four-year timeline is standard in the United States and cannot typically be shortened, although there may be some opportunities for electives or research within the residency period.
In summary, the dermatology residency length is four years total after medical school: one year preliminary internship plus three years of specialized dermatology training.
