What is a D.O.?

D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

A D.O. is a fully licensed physician. D.O.s complete medical school, train in residency, pass board exams, and are licensed to practice medicine and surgery in every state. They prescribe medication, perform surgery, and work in every specialty. An M.D. and a D.O. hold the same scope of practice.

The difference is the training. Osteopathic medical schools add osteopathic manipulative medicine — using the hands to diagnose and treat the joints, muscles, connective tissue, and how the body moves.

A D.O. is a physician with that additional training.

D.O. and M.D.: Same Residencies and Specialty Board Exams

D.O.s and M.D.s now train together. In 2020, D.O. and M.D. residency programs were combined into a single national accreditation system. D.O.s and M.D.s apply to the same residency programs and complete the same training.

Specialty board certification works the same way. A D.O. who finishes residency is eligible for the same specialty board exams as an M.D.

D.O. and M.D. are two degrees that now lead to the same residencies and the same specialty board exams.