How To Become a Neurologist: Education, Training, and Career Guide

Our brains are incredible organs. Despite making up only 2% of the average human body by weight, these systems consume 20% of our oxygen and energy reserves to process sensory information at one billion bits per second. The human brain contains over 100 trillion synapses and can store an estimated 2.5 million gigabytes of data. So, it’s no wonder it takes years of intensive training and clinical experience to become a neurologist.  

What Is a Neurologist?

Neurologists are medical specialists who focus on nonsurgical treatments for a wide range of conditions involving the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. They often work closely with neurosurgeons and psychiatrists to resolve or manage complex medical conditions such as strokes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and beyond. Some of their duties include:  

• Patient evaluations
• Interpreting diagnostic imaging
• Diagnosing various conditions
• Developing short- and long-term treatment plans
• Managing chronic and progressive diseases
• Collaborating with other medical specialists
• Conducting research, education, and outreach programs

Educational Pathway To Become a Neurologist

How long does it take to become a neurologist? Typically, around 12 years. After all, the sheer complexity of the brain and nervous system demands rigorous study and intensive training.

Undergraduate Degree

Many aspiring neurologists begin the training process by earning a bachelor’s degree in a field like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or psychology. No matter your chosen degree program, you must complete various science-based prerequisites before entering medical school. At American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, the following courses are required for eligibility:

Two semesters (eight credit hours) including labs for each of the following:  

• General biology
• General chemistry
• Organic chemistry or biochemistry

One semester of:  

• General physics, calculus, or statistics

In addition to maintaining a strong GPA, it’s also important to participate in relevant extracurricular activities throughout your undergraduate career. Volunteering in a related field, shadowing a practicing neurosurgeon, or conducting clinical research may help you strengthen your medical school application while you learn valuable skills.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT^®)

Before applying to medical school, you must take the Medical College Admission Test^® (MCAT^®), a standardized exam assessing both foundational knowledge of natural sciences and soft skills within the following sections:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

The MCAT is an essential component of most medical school applications and, for U.S. and Canadian citizens, is required for consideration for AUC’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program. MCAT scores tend to correlate strongly with future performance in med school. Although it’s far from the only factor considered for medical school acceptance, it can offer insights into your potential performance.  

Many students spend three to six months preparing for the MCAT. While some take the exam the same year they plan to apply to medical school, others may take it during their junior year to leave more time to retake it if they’re unhappy with their scores.  

Medical School

Completing an accredited MD program is the next step in the training process to become a neurologist. Medical school consists of preclinical coursework, hands-on clinical training, and elective rotations.  

If you choose to attend AUC’s MD program, you can spend the first two years building clinical reasoning skills and building your knowledge of medical sciences on the striking Caribbean island of Sint Maarten or in the exciting city of Preston in the U.K. We have a dedicated module called “Brain and Behavior” that deals with neurological and psychiatric aspects of medicine.  

AUC takes a systemic approach to training, offering a deep understanding of how various bodily systems interconnect, beginning with mere molecules and expanding to full-body systems. During preclinical training, you can gain hands-on experience early and often. You may start with simulated labs that help you build confidence in your skills and learn to identify and diagnose various health conditions with the help of high-fidelity manikins.  

In the third year of medical school, you may perform clinical rotations at an affiliate hospital in the U.S. or U.K., where you will have the opportunity to assess patients under the supervision of an attending physician or senior medical professional.  

Clinical rotations begin with 42 weeks of core clerkship, where you’ll gain exposure to the following disciplines:

• Internal Medicine: 12 weeks  
• Surgery: 12 weeks  
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN): 6 weeks  
• Pediatrics: 6 weeks  
• Psychiatry: 6 weeks

Following core rotations, elective rotations can allow you to explore a wider range of specialties, including:  

• Family Medicine: 4-6 weeks
• Internal Medicine Elective: 2 weeks
• Internal Medicine Sub-Internship: 4 weeks
• Psychiatry Sub-Internship: 4 weeks
• Emergency Medicine: 4 weeks
• Cardiology: 4 weeks
• Gastroenterology: 4 weeks
• Neurology: 4 weeks
• Radiology: 4 weeks
• Pulmonology: 4 weeks
• Anesthesiology: 4 weeks

Neurology Residency Program

Upon completing medical school, you can enter the residency placement program, through which you may be matched with open residency opportunities. Despite the highly competitive nature of these placements, AUC graduates in the 2024-2025 class enjoyed a 95% first-time residency attainment rate*.

The typical neurology residency program lasts four to five years. The first year includes an internship with a focus on internal medicine, and the following years offer intensive neurology training, where you may be exposed to various clinical scenarios and treat patients under the supervision of a qualified neurologist. Your residency training may include:  

• Inpatient and outpatient neurology
• Neurodiagnostics
• Stroke and neurocritical care
• Neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, and movement disorders
• Pediatric neurology

Licensing and Certification

The United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®) is a multi-stage assessment required for full medical licensure in the U.S. Step 1 covers foundational sciences and is typically completed after the first two years of medical school, before beginning clinical rotations. Step 2 assesses clinical skills and must be completed before applying for a residency. Step 3 is often taken in the first years of neurology residency and includes advanced patient management, diagnosis, and prognosis in real-world clinical settings.  

Students who choose a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree instead of an MD program must complete the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA). Like the USMLE, the COMLEX is taken in three stages at around the same time as the USMLE assessments.  

Once you’ve completed your residency, you’re ready to take the final step to become a neurologist: board certification. To earn your certification, you must take the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Neurology Certification Exam, which tests your expertise in diagnosing, managing, and treating various neurological conditions.  

Subspecialties in Neurology

As you train to become a neurologist, you may naturally gravitate toward specific subspecialties such as stroke treatment and vascular neurology, pediatric neurology, neuro-oncology, neuropsychiatry, or another niche field. You can narrow your focus by completing a fellowship program after residency. These programs may last one to three years and include research and advanced clinical training.  

Skills and Qualities Needed To Be a Neurologist

As a neurologist, you can look forward to a fulfilling and challenging career path, and certain soft skills may help you thrive in such a high-stakes concentration.

Communication Skills

Clear, effective communication with patients and their loved ones is a vital component of a successful career as a neurologist. Neurology involves the most complex organ in the human body, so learning to relay vital information in a way that’s easy to understand will facilitate more effective patient education.  

Of course, neurologists work alongside medical teams of neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, and other related specialists. Proper communication with all team members will encourage greater collaboration to help your patients heal.  

Patience and Empathy

Many neurology patients face chronic or progressive diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s that can affect them for the rest of their lives. As such, you may form long-lasting professional relationships as you help them manage their conditions. A compassionate approach to patient care can help you build trust with patients and support them in managing the physical and emotional effects of neurological disorders.  

Problem-Solving Abilities

Many neurological disorders present as vague or overlapping symptoms that require a bit of detective work to solve. Rare or complex diagnoses often demand a keen eye for detail and a granular understanding of how various illnesses impact the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. As a neurologist, you may interpret various imaging results to pinpoint a diagnosis, including MRIs, EEGs, and nerve-conduction studies.  

Neurologist Job Outlook and Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, neurologists in the United States earn an annual salary between $82,990 and $239,200 or greater as of May 2023. Estimated wage range is based on the 10th–75th percentile.** While employment of neurologists is expected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033 — faster than the average for all occupations — certain subspecialties like geriatric neurology, which focuses on care for the elderly and treatment for dementia and Alzheimer’s, may experience even greater demand in the future.  

Learn More About How To Become a Neurologist

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine offers a solid foundation for aspiring neurologists, providing comprehensive hands-on clinical experience and the expertise of highly trained faculty and staff. Take our admissions assessment or apply now to begin your journey to a fulfilling medical career!

*First-time residency attainment rate is the percent of students attaining a 2025-26 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2024-25 who were active applicants in the 2025 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match.

**Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (as of May 2023). The 10th percentile figure reasonably represents entry level wages. BLS wages are national estimates and are not specific to graduates of AUC. Wages may vary by state or region. No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls at AUC will obtain a job or earn the estimated salaries.