Becoming a pulmonologist requires a significant commitment to education and training, typically spanning around 13 to 15 years. It begins with completing a four-year undergraduate degree, often with a focus on pre-medical courses. Following this, aspiring pulmonologists must attend medical school for four years to earn their MD or DO degree. After medical school, they enter a three-year residency in internal medicine, where they gain comprehensive training in adult medicine. To specialize further in pulmonology, they then undertake a two- to three-year fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine. This extensive training ensures they develop the expertise needed to diagnose and treat complex respiratory conditions effectively.