High School

During high school, take as many health and sports-related classes as possible. Biology, chemistry, health, psychology, computer science, and English are important core courses. High grades in high school are important for anyone aspiring to join the medical profession, because competition for acceptance into medical programs at colleges and universities is always tough.

Postsecondary Training

Sports physicians have either an M.D. (medical doctor degree) or a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy degree). Each involves completing four years of college, followed by four years of medical school, study, and internship at an accredited medical school, and up to six years of residency training in a medical specialty, such as surgery. Many physicians also complete a fellowship in sports medicine either during or after their residency.

During the first two years of medical school, medical students usually spend most of their time in classrooms learning anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry, among other subjects. In their last two years, they begin seeing patients in a clinic, observing and working with doctors to treat patients and develop their diagnostic skills. Some medical schools are beginning to alter this time-honored tradition by having medical students begin to work with patients much sooner than two years into their schooling, but this method of combining classroom and clinical experiences is not yet fully accepted or integrated into the curriculum.

After medical school, the new doctors spend a year in an internship program, followed by several years in a residency training program in their area of specialty. Most sports physicians complete this stage of their training by working in orthopedics or general practice.

The fellowship portion of a doctor's training is essential if he or she has chosen to specialize. For example, the doctor specializing in general surgery and interested in sports medicine would probably seek an orthopedics fellowship providing further training in orthopedic surgery techniques.

Other Education or Training

The American College of Sports Medicine offers a team physician course to help physicians prepare to work with athletes. The American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Athletic Trainers' Association also provide professional development opportunities.

Certification or Licensing

Board certification is granted by many medical boards such as the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the American Board of Surgery. These credentials, though voluntary, signify that the physician is highly qualified in a particular practice area. 

All states requires physicians to be licensed and requirements vary by state. To become licensed, doctors must have completed postsecondary training in accordance with the guidelines and rules of their chosen area or specialty. Beyond the formal requirements, this usually involves a qualifying written exam, followed by in-depth oral examinations designed to test the candidate's knowledge and expertise.

There is no way to obtain direct experience in high school, but it's a good idea to take as many health and science classes as possible and participate in science clubs. Medical students gain experience by completing residency training in a medical specialty, such as surgery, and a fellowship in sports medicine. 

Sports physicians must be able to learn and remember all the many parts of the human body and how they function together. Knowledge of different sports and their demands on an athlete's body is also important. Like all medical doctors, sports physicians must also be able to communicate clearly to their patients with compassion and understanding.