20 Medical Specialties and Subspecialties To Explore - Skills To Get Ahead In Your Career

When you are pursuing a career as a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, you will have the opportunity to choose a specialty, or branch of medicine. Each specialty has distinct care areas, and some may appeal more to you depending on your interests. In this article, we explore the most recognized medical specialties, their primary responsibilities and the education and training required for each.

According to the .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}, there are more than 135 recognized specialties and subspecialties in the United States. Medical schools offer instruction according to a common list of specialties from the .

Each specialty requires advanced training and many have subspecialties that require additional instruction. Some subspecialties cross over several specialties, such as pediatrics, surgery, sleep medicine, sports medicine and hospice and palliative medicine.

When patients experience a specific medical problem, they usually go to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Specializing in a certain area of medicine will also prepare you to properly address rare medical conditions that require specific and personalized treatment plans.

Narrowing down your options and working toward your intended field of medicine early in your medical school journey can give you an advantage. The specialty you choose will impact your residency and fellowship, if applicable, and the tasks you will perform when begin practicing medicine. Your chosen specialty and/or subspecialty will also determine if advanced training is needed or if you want to pursue board certification after you begin your career.

Here are 20 specialty paths recognized by medical schools and health care organizations. Specialists typically earn more than primary physicians, but their fields also require more education and certification. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link. Check with .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}for updates on specialty training requirements.

.css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}

The specialty of allergy and immunology involves assessing and treating both adult and pediatric patients suffering from allergies and diseases of the respiratory or immune system. Some of the most common ailments include asthma, allergies to drugs, foods and environmental factors, immune deficiencies and lung diseases. Specialists can pursue careers in research, education or clinical practice.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Prior certification in internal medicine or pediatrics

Two years in allergy and immunology

Anesthesiology focuses on relieving adult and pediatric patients’ pain before, during and after surgery. An anesthesiologist must be detail-oriented while managing a patient’s vital signs during surgery and monitoring their condition afterward.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Critical care medicine

Hospice and palliative care

Neurocritical care

Pain medicine

Pediatric anesthesiology

Sleep medicine

Dermatology focuses on adult and pediatric disorders of the skin, hair, nails and adjacent mucous membranes. Dermatologists diagnose and treat skin cancer, tumors, infectious diseases and inflammatory diseases and cancers of the skin. They also perform dermatological surgical procedures, including skin biopsies and the removal of skin lesions and other abnormalities.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Dermatopathology

Micrographic dermatologic oncology

Pediatric dermatology

A radiologist is the eye of medicine, helping the primary care physician diagnose and treat diseases. They are trained to diagnose patients through the use of X-rays, radioactive substances, sound waves in ultrasounds and the body’s natural magnetism in magnetic resonance images MRI.

Radiologists who specialize in interventional radiology use image-guided minimally invasive procedures to treat benign and malignant conditions of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis and extremities.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Five years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Abdominal radiology

Breast imaging

Cardiothoracic radiology

Cardiovascular radiology

Chest radiology

Emergency radiology

Endovascular surgical neuroradiology

Gastrointestinal radiology

Genitourinary radiology

Head and neck radiology

Interventional radiology

Musculoskeletal radiology

Neuroradiology

Nuclear radiology

Pediatric radiology

Radiation oncology

Vascular and interventional radiology

Emergency medicine specialists provide care for adult and pediatric patients in emergencies. They make immediate decisions and take actions that often save lives and prevent further injuries. They work in hospital emergency departments or urgent care facilities.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Three years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Anesthesiology critical care medicine

Critical care medicine

Emergency medical services

Hospice and palliative care

Medical toxicology

Neurocritical care

Pain medicine

Pediatric emergency medicine

Sports medicine

Undersea and hyperbaric medicine

A family medicine specialist concentrates on the patient as a whole rather than focusing on a certain area of the body or age range. They provide comprehensive health care and treat many ailments.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Three years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Adolescent medicine

Geriatric medicine

Hospice and palliative medicine

Pain medicine

Sleep medicine

Sports medicine

: An internist is a physician who treats diseases of the heart, blood, kidneys, joints, digestive, respiratory and vascular systems of adolescent, adult and elderly patients. These specialists also address disease prevention and wellness.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Three years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Adolescent medicine

Adult congenital heart disease

Advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology

Cardiovascular disease

Clinical cardiac electrophysiology

Critical care medicine

Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism

Gastroenterology

Geriatric medicine

Hematology

Hospice and palliative medicine

Infectious disease

Interventional cardiology

Medical oncology

Nephrology

Pulmonary disease

Pulmonary disease and critical care medicine

Rheumatology

Sports medicine

Transplant hepatology

A medical geneticist is a physician who treats genetic disorders and diagnoses diseases caused by birth defects. They provide specialized counseling, arrange for treatment and help the patient and family understand and cope with the disorder. Some medical geneticists work primarily with infants and children. Some medical geneticists, often those who are first trained as obstetricians, concentrate on the genetic problems of fetuses.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Two to three years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Clinical biochemical genetics

Clinical genetics and genomics

Laboratory genetics and genomics

Medical biochemical genetics

Molecular genetic pathology

Neurology pertains to the nervous system and nerves. These specialists diagnose and treat diseases of the brain, muscles, blood vessels, spinal cord, autonomic nervous system and peripheral nerves. Neurologists often consult on patients with seizure disorders, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four to five years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Brain injury medicine

Child neurology

Clinical neurophysiology

Endovascular surgical neuroradiology

Hospice and palliative medicine

Neurodevelopmental disabilities

Neuromuscular medicine

Pain medicine

Sleep medicine

Vascular neurology

Specialists who practice nuclear medicine are called “nuclear radiologists” or “nuclear medicine radiologists.” They use radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases. Utilizing techniques such as scintigraphy, these physicians analyze images of the body’s organs to visualize certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, tumors and bone cancer.

Specialty training required before board certification:

One to three years

Obstetrics and gynecology is the specialty focused on the female reproductive system and associated disorders. The field includes primary health care for women, care of pregnant women and delivery of babies, gynecological care, surgery and oncology.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Critical care medicine

Complex family planning

Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery

Gynecologic oncology

Hospice and palliative care

Maternal-fetal medicine

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility

Ophthalmologists provide medical and surgical care of the eyes, including the treatment of cataracts, corneal transplants, diabetic retinopathy and strabismus and diabetic retinopathy. They see patients of all ages. These specialists also diagnose and treat vision problems.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Anterior segment/cornea ophthalmology

Glaucoma ophthalmology

Neuro-ophthalmology

Ocular oncology

Oculoplastics/orbit

Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery

Retina/uveitis

Strabismus/pediatric ophthalmology

A physician specializing in pathology studies the causes and nature of diseases. Through microscopic examination and clinical lab tests, pathologists work to diagnose, monitor and treat diseases. They examine tissues, cells and body fluids, applying biological, chemical and physical sciences within the laboratory. They may examine tissues to determine if an organ transplant is needed, if a tumor is cancerous or if a fetus is healthy.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Three to four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Anatomical pathology

Blood banking and transfusion medicine

Clinical informatics

Chemical pathology

Clinical pathology

Cytopathology

Dermatopathology

Forensic pathology

Genetic pathology

Hemopathology

Immunopathology

Medical microbiology pathology

Molecular genetic pathology

Neuropathology

Pediatric pathology

Pediatricians work with patients from birth to adolescence, providing preventive medicine and diagnosing common ailments and diseases in childhood. A pediatrician may serve as a primary care pediatrician or choose a subspeciality.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Three years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Adolescent medicine

Child abuse pediatrics

Developmental• behavioral pediatrics

Hospice and palliative medicine

Neonatal-perinatal medicine

Pediatric cardiology

Pediatric critical care medicine

Pediatric emergency medicine

Pediatric endocrinology

Pediatric gastroenterology

Pediatric hematology• oncology

Pediatric hospital medicine

Pediatric infectious diseases

Pediatric nephrology

Pediatric pulmonology

Pediatric rheumatology

Pediatric sports medicine

Pediatric transplant hepatology

Sleep medicine

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating and treating patients of all ages with disabilities of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Specialists are called “physiatrists” and they work to improve the patient’s quality of life. Disabilities may arise from birth defects, neck and back pain, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome or other painful conditions. The disability may result from trauma or disease such as broken hips, spinal cord injury, head injury or stroke.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Brain injury medicine

Hospice and palliative medicine

Neuromuscular medicine

Pain medicine

Pediatric rehabilitation medicine

Spinal cord injury medicine

Sports medicine

A preventive medicine specialist focuses on preventing disease by promoting patient health and well-being. The field combines interdisciplinary elements of medical, social, economic, and behavioral sciences to understand the causes of disease and injury in population groups. They are heavily involved in influencing public policy, public health and designing health care systems to prevent and control the spread of diseases.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Three years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Aerospace medicine

Clinical informatics

Medical toxicology

Occupational medicine

Public health medicine

Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and associated mental and physical impact. They work to understand and address the connections between mental illness, emotions and genetics. A psychiatrist will consult with patients to diagnose mental illness and provide treatment that may involve medication, therapy or a combination of both.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Four years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Addiction psychiatry

Administrative psychiatry

Child and adolescent psychiatry

Clinical neurophysiology

Consultation/liaison psychiatry

Emergency psychiatry

Forensic psychiatry

Hospice and palliative medicine

Geriatric psychiatry

Military psychiatry

Pain medicine

Psychosomatic medicine

Radiation oncology focuses on causes, prevention and treatment of malignant diseases by using high-energy radiation therapy, scans and imaging. By targeting radiation doses in specific areas of the body, radiation oncologists target disease cells, such as cancer, to prevent further growth.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Five years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Hospice and palliative medicine

Pain medicine

Physicians specializing in surgery can become general surgeons or choose a subspecialty in a specific area of the body, type of patient or type of surgery. Since general surgeons provide a variety of life-saving surgeries, they receive broad training on human anatomy, physiology, intensive care and wound healing. The AAMC and American College of Surgeons outline many surgical subspecialties.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Five to nine years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Colon and rectal surgery primary specialty

General surgery primary specialty

Gynecologic oncology

Plastic surgery

Neurological surgery

Ophthalmic surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Orthopedic surgery

Otolaryngology

Otology neurotology

Pediatric surgery, including neonatal, prenatal, trauma and oncology surgery

Surgical intensivists

Thoracic surgery, including congenital cardiac and integrated thoracic surgery

Vascular surgery primary specialty

Urology focus on the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, kidneys and ureter and the male sex organs. Urologists often perform surgery and consult with patients regarding several medical issues, including male infertility.

Specialty training required before board certification:

Five years

Subspecialties requiring additional training:

Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery

Pediatric urology

Some subspecialties are so common that patients may confuse them as specialties. Many have become more popular due to technological advancements and robot-assisted procedures. The ABMS recognizes the following:

Cardiologists diagnose, treat and prevent heart and blood vessel diseases such as heart failure. Based on various test results, they may prescribe medications or diet and lifestyle changes. Cardiologists can also perform surgical procedures such as heart transplants, bypasses and heart valve repairs and insert pacemakers and defibrillators.

Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat digestive system disorders. These conditions might affect the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas or gallbladder. They often see patients with heartburn, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, abdominal pain, acid reflux and digestive organ cancers.

They understand how the digestive system processes food, absorbs nutrients and removes waste. They prescribe medications and provide nutrition advice for patients dealing with conditions such as Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.

Neurosurgery is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with injury to—or diseases/disorders of—the brain, spinal cord and spinal column and peripheral nerves within all parts of the body. The specialty of neurosurgical care includes both adult and pediatric patients. Dependent on the nature of the injury or disease, a neurological surgeon may provide surgical and/or non-surgical care.

Oncologists treat cancer patients. They explain each patient’s diagnosis, stage and prognosis and treatment options. They work with patients throughout their treatment, helping them manage symptoms of the disease and radiation therapy. They might further specialize in medical, surgical, radiation, pediatric, gynecologic or hematologic oncology.

Orthopedic surgeons diagnose, treat and prevent bone, joint, muscle and soft tissue injuries and conditions. Some treat all types of musculoskeletal issues, while others focus on certain body parts such as hips, knees, feet, ankles, spine, shoulders, elbows and hands. They might encounter traumatic injuries, birth defects, cancers or infections. Orthopedic surgeons often repair broken bones, damaged or arthritic joints and injured tendons and ligaments.

An otolaryngologist, also known as an “ear, nose and throat ENT specialist,” provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients of all ages with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, nose, throat, respiratory and upper alimentary systems and related structures of the head and neck.

Plastic surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction or replacement of physical defects involving the skin, muscles, facial structures, hand, extremities, chest and genitalia. Other times they perform procedures to repair damage from an injury, burn, disease or a deformity such as a cleft palate. Techniques plastic surgeons might use include skin grafts, facelifts, liposuction, breast implants and tissue transfers. Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery.

Specialists in this field focus on advanced fertility treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization, and reproductive endocrinology issues. They perform surgeries for congenital abnormalities, fibroid tumors, tubal disease, endometriosis, polyps and adhesions.

Thoracic surgery focuses on surgical care for patients with conditions within the chest. This includes coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, trachea abnormalities of the trachea, congenital cardiac surgery, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. Airway and chest injuries are within the scope of the subspecialty.