How to Become an Urgent Care Physician: Steps and Skills

Key Takeaways

• Millions of patients are treated every day in nearly 15,000 urgent care centers available in the U.S.
• Urgent care medicine is growing fast, with strong job demand fueled by patient preference for quick, accessible care and an aging population needing more medical services.
• Becoming an urgent care physician takes around 11–12 years of education and training, including a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and a relevant residency such as family or emergency medicine.

A mother rushes in, her toddler burning with fever. Moments later, a cyclist limps through the door, ankle swollen from a fall. An urgent care physician greets each case with calm expertise, delivering swift, lifesaving care without the long waits of an emergency room. 

These clinics have become essential to modern healthcare, bridging the gap between primary care and emergency departments. In the U.S. alone, nearly 15,000 urgent care centers now treat over 200 million patients annually. 

The demand continues to rise as patients seek timely and affordable care for a range of conditions, from sprains to infections. If you’re drawn to medicine that keeps you on your toes and lets you make a real difference every day, urgent care might be the perfect fit.

What Does an Urgent Care Physician Do?

An urgent care physician provides immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that still require timely care. These professionals work in settings like urgent care centers, walk-in clinics, and retail health locations found in pharmacies or supermarkets. They treat a wide variety of patients, making each day unpredictable yet highly rewarding.

Common daily responsibilities include:

• Examining and diagnosing patients with acute conditions like infections, minor fractures, or allergic reactions
• Performing minor procedures such as suturing cuts or draining abscesses
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests like X-rays and bloodwork
• Prescribing medications and creating short-term treatment plans
• Coordinating follow-up care or referrals when necessary

Unlike emergency physicians, urgent care doctors typically handle stable patients who don’t need emergency-level intervention. Compared to primary care doctors, on the other hand, they focus more on walk-in visits and less on long-term patient relationships. Their work requires versatility, speed in decision-making, and strong general medical knowledge.

How to Become an Urgent Care Physician

Becoming an urgent care physician is a rewarding path that blends structured training with real impact. It requires a strong commitment to education, clinical experience, and the ability to think quickly under pressure. 

If you’re drawn to a career where every shift brings new challenges and opportunities to help, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find the key steps to get started. Take your interest seriously, explore what it takes, and begin building a future in urgent care medicine.

Earn a bachelor’s degree

The first step to becoming an urgent care physician is earning a bachelor’s degree, ideally in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or health sciences. These majors offer a strong foundation in the subjects that medical schools expect students to master. 

Required courses usually include general and organic chemistry, biology, physics, and English. Some schools may also require math and social science classes. Maintaining a high GPA for medical school is crucial, as these schools are highly competitive, and academic performance plays a major role in admissions decisions.

But grades aren’t everything. Gaining hands-on experience in a healthcare setting—through internships, shadowing, or volunteering—can strengthen your application and help confirm your passion for medicine. 

These early clinical experiences offer a valuable look into patient care and the daily responsibilities of a physician. They also show admissions committees that you’re serious, proactive, and ready for the demands of medical school.

Pass the MCAT

The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized exam required for entry into most U.S. medical schools. It assesses knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and critical thinking. A good MCAT score is essential as it helps schools evaluate your academic readiness and can significantly impact your chances of acceptance.

At AUAMED, though completing this exam is required, MCAT scores are not factored into the admissions decision. However, students scoring 505 or higher are eligible for scholarships of up to $100,000, which makes this score paramount for financial support.

To prepare and understand competitive scores:

• Start studying at least 3 to 6 months in advance
• Use official AAMC prep materials and full-length practice exams
• Aim for a balanced score in all sections
• Competitive applicants typically score between 510 and 520

Timing is important. Most students take the exam a year before they plan to start medical school. Search for MCAT test dates to find the latest schedule and give yourself enough time to retake the test if needed because a strong performance on the MCAT can open doors to interviews at top programs.

Complete medical school

Medical school is a four-year journey that transforms students into practicing physicians. The first two years focus on classroom-based learning, covering subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, and medical ethics. These foundational courses are part of the standard medical school requirements, ensuring students build strong core knowledge.

The final two years involve clinical rotations in various specialties, providing students with hands-on experience working with real patients under the supervision of licensed physicians. These rotations are critical for developing diagnostic skills, bedside manner, and medical judgment.

Excelling in rotations not only builds confidence but also strengthens residency applications. For future urgent care physicians, rotations in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics are especially important. These specialties mirror the range of conditions treated in urgent care settings, from sprains to sore throats.

Succeeding in your medical subjects and performing well in clinical training sets the foundation for the next step: residency.

Choose a relevant residency program

After medical school, the next step is completing a medical residency, where new doctors gain intensive, hands-on training in their chosen specialty. To get into residency, students apply through a matching system and are selected based on their academic performance, board scores, and clinical experience. 

Schools like AUAMED support this process by offering strong clinical preparation and advising for students applying to U.S. residency programs. Our graduates have successfully obtained residencies at prestigious teaching hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada, demonstrating the effectiveness of the university’s support in the residency application process.

For those aiming to work in urgent care, residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, or emergency medicine are the best fit. These programs cover a broad range of conditions and prepare physicians to treat patients of all ages.

Residency length varies, typically ranging from 3 to 4 years, depending on the specialty. During this time, physicians sharpen their diagnostic skills, learn to manage time-sensitive cases and develop the confidence to work independently. 

Obtain board certification

Board certification is a professional credential that confirms a physician’s expertise in a specific area of medicine. It matters because it adds credibility, boosts employability, and shows patients and employers that you meet nationally recognized standards. 

For urgent care physicians, certification is typically obtained through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), or American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), depending on your residency training.

After completing your medical residency, you’ll be eligible to take the board exam in your chosen specialty. The process usually includes:

• Submitting an application and proof of residency completion
• Meeting continuing education and training requirements
• Passing a comprehensive written (and sometimes oral) exam

Board certification isn’t always legally required to practice, but it often makes a major difference when applying for jobs or gaining hospital privileges. Many urgent care centers prefer or even require board-certified physicians on their team as it solidifies their institution as destined for greatness and a standout from the rest.

Acquire state licensure and begin practicing

To begin practicing, physicians must obtain a medical license from the state where they intend to work. This process is handled by the state’s medical board and ensures that you meet professional and ethical standards.

Common requirements include:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school
• Completion of a residency program
• Passing all steps of the USMLE or COMLEX exams
• A background check and proof of good moral character

In addition to licensure, you may need a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) license to prescribe controlled substances. Once approved, you’re legally authorized to practice medicine and begin your career in urgent care.

What Skills Do You Need to Succeed in Urgent Care?

Working in urgent care means thinking fast, staying calm, and handling a wide mix of patients—often with little notice. Success in this role depends on more than medical training. It takes a unique blend of clinical skills and soft skills to deliver care efficiently and compassionately.

• Quick decision-making: Urgent care doctors must quickly assess symptoms and decide on a course of action. A patient with chest pain, for example, might need an ECG immediately to rule out something serious.
• Adaptability and flexibility: You might treat a toddler’s ear infection one minute and splint a wrist fracture the next. Being able to switch gears is essential.
• Strong communication: Clear explanations help patients feel informed and calm. Whether you’re educating someone on medication or explaining a follow-up plan, how you speak matters.
• Time management: With walk-in appointments, you need to stay on schedule while giving each patient quality care.
• Medical knowledge across a wide range of conditions: From strep throat to sprains, urgent care covers it all.
• Comfort with minor procedures: Things like suturing cuts or applying a cast are routine here.

Finally, bedside manners can’t be overlooked. Patients often come in anxious or uncomfortable. Treating them with empathy builds trust and improves satisfaction.

Salary Expectations and Job Outlook

Urgent care physicians in the U.S. earn competitive salaries, with averages reaching approximately $233,000 annually. This figure, however, is influenced by factors like geographic location, years of experience, and employment setting. 

For example, physicians in metropolitan areas or those with extensive experience may command higher salaries. Additionally, benefits often encompass health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and continuing medical education allowances.

The job outlook for urgent care physicians is promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% growth in employment for physicians and surgeons from 2023 to 2033, aligning with the average growth rate for all occupations. 

This growth is driven by factors such as an aging population requiring more medical services and a patient preference for convenient, immediate care options. Moreover, urgent care centers often offer more predictable hours compared to emergency rooms, enhancing work-life balance for physicians. And this is reinforced by the very professionals who work in the field.

“I can feel good about what I’ve done during the day and I can go home and have some personal time,” says Sean McNeeley (MD), who is also the president of the board of directors of the Urgent Care Association.

Conclusion

Becoming an urgent care physician takes dedication, education, and hands-on experience. From earning a bachelor’s degree to completing medical school, residency, and board certification, each step prepares you for a fast-moving, patient-focused role. As urgent care centers continue to grow, so does the need for skilled, compassionate doctors who can deliver timely care. 

If you’re passionate about medicine and want a career that’s both challenging and meaningful, urgent care might be the perfect fit. Consider starting your journey at AUAMED with the MD program, where supportive faculty and real-world training help you build a solid foundation for success in this dynamic medical field.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How long does it take to become an urgent care physician?

It typically takes 11 to 12 years, including undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency training.

Why are urgent care jobs becoming popular?

They offer flexible hours, a broad scope of practice, and faster-paced environments without the intensity of hospital emergency rooms.

Can physicians from other specialties transition into urgent care?

Yes, doctors trained in family medicine, internal medicine, or emergency medicine often shift into urgent care roles with minimal additional training.