Yes, DOs are fully licensed physicians who can perform surgery in all specialties, including general surgery and neurosurgery.
When you see “D.O.” after a surgeon’s name, it might give you pause. Most people recognize an M.D. right away, but the letters D.O. — Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine — are less familiar, and that unfamiliarity sometimes raises quiet questions about training or skill level. You’re certainly not alone in wondering whether a D.O. has the same surgical abilities as an M.D.
The short answer is that D.O.s are fully licensed physicians who can and do practice surgery across every specialty. They complete the same residency programs, pass comparable board exams, and meet the same certification standards as M.D. surgeons. The most meaningful difference lies in their medical school training, where D.O.s receive several hundred additional hours of hands-on instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine.
How D.O. Training Differs From M.D. Training
Both D.O.s and M.D.s attend four years of medical school, but the setting differs. D.O.s graduate from osteopathic medical schools that emphasize a whole-person approach to care, while M.D.s attend allopathic schools centered on conventional biomedical training. During those four years, D.O.s log roughly 200 to 500 extra hours of instruction in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) — a hands-on method for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues.
After medical school the training paths converge. Both D.O. and M.D. graduates apply for the same surgical residency programs, typically lasting five years or more for general surgery. D.O.s usually take the COMLEX licensing exam, though many also sit for the USMLE to broaden their application options. Board certification requirements after residency are identical for both degrees.
Why The Letters Cause Confusion
The letters “D.O.” are simply less common than “M.D.” — roughly one in four U.S. medical students now attends an osteopathic school, but the public is far less familiar with the credential. That gap in awareness leads to several common misconceptions worth clearing up.
- “D.O. isn’t a real doctor.” D.O.s are fully licensed physicians who can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in every medical specialty — exactly like M.D.s.
- “D.O.s only do hands-on treatments.” Many D.O.s choose surgical specialties and use OMT as a supplementary skill rather than their primary focus during practice.
- “D.O. surgeons are less qualified.” They complete the same residency programs and board certification pathways as M.D. surgeons. The added OMT training is extra, not a replacement for surgical training.
- “D.O.s can’t match into competitive surgical fields.” While match rates for some subspecialties like neurosurgery are lower, D.O.s match into general surgery and other fields every year, and some serve as faculty at university surgical departments.
The bottom line on confusion is that D.O. and M.D. surgeons receive equivalent clinical training and hold identical practice rights. The degree type has little bearing on surgical skill or patient outcomes.
Becoming A D.O. Surgeon: The Path Step By Step
What The Research Shows
The route to becoming a D.O. surgeon mirrors the M.D. path almost exactly. After osteopathic medical school, graduates apply for surgical residencies through the same matching system. General surgery residency takes a minimum of five years, during which trainees gain experience in the operating room, manage patients on the ward, and prepare for board exams.
A 2022 cross-sectional study characterized D.O. surgeons serving as faculty at university-based general surgery departments across the country. Per the same d.o. do surgery study, D.O. surgeons are actively teaching the next generation of residents and fellows, confirming their full integration into academic surgery.
| Stage | D.O. Path | M.D. Path |
|---|---|---|
| Medical School | 4 years at osteopathic medical school | 4 years at allopathic medical school |
| Extra Training | 200–500 hours of OMT/OMM instruction | Standard curriculum without OMT |
| Licensing Exam | COMLEX (some also take USMLE) | USMLE |
| Residency Match | Apply to surgical residency programs | Apply to surgical residency programs |
| Residency Duration | 5+ years for general surgery | 5+ years for general surgery |
| Board Certification | Eligible for specialty boards | Eligible for specialty boards |
The training table shows that after medical school, the two paths largely run in parallel. The extra OMT hours are the only structural difference, and that training doesn’t reduce time spent on surgical preparation.
When Matching Gets Competitive
Getting into any surgical residency is competitive — there are fewer spots than applicants in many fields, and programs look for candidates they can invest in for five years or more. For D.O. applicants, certain subspecialties present an extra challenge worth knowing about.
- Neurosurgery. A 2023 study found significantly lower match rates for D.O. candidates compared to M.D. candidates in neurosurgery specifically, though D.O.s still match into this field.
- Limited spots. Surgical residency positions are capped by funding and program size, which keeps competition high for both D.O. and M.D. applicants across subspecialties.
- Dual exam strategy. Some D.O. students take the USMLE in addition to the COMLEX, which may help their applications stand out at programs less familiar with osteopathic training.
- Program history. D.O. applicants often target programs with a track record of accepting osteopathic graduates, which can improve match odds.
Match data shifts each year, and many D.O. graduates match into general surgery and other surgical specialties successfully. The competitive landscape is one factor among many, not a barrier to a surgical career.
Finding The Right Surgeon For You
What Matters Most For Your Care
For most patients, the letters after a surgeon’s name matter far less than the surgeon’s specific training, case volume, and communication style. Both D.O. and M.D. surgeons are eligible for board certification in their specialty, and both can perform the same range of operations after completing accredited residency programs.
The main difference between the two degrees, as Aucmed’s breakdown of allopathic vs osteopathic schools explains, lies in medical school philosophy rather than in clinical ability or surgical technique. Osteopathic schools teach a whole-person framework alongside standard biomedical science, while allopathic schools focus on the biomedical model alone.
| Factor | D.O. Surgeon | M.D. Surgeon |
|---|---|---|
| Fully licensed to operate? | Yes | Yes |
| Surgical residency training? | Same accredited programs | Same accredited programs |
| Board certified options? | Same specialty boards | Same specialty boards |
What matters most is choosing a surgeon you can trust and communicate with — whether D.O. or M.D. If you have concerns, asking about their surgical experience and volume is more useful than focusing on the two-letter distinction.
The Bottom Line
D.O.s are fully licensed physicians who can perform surgery in every specialty, including general surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. They train in the same residency programs and pursue the same board certifications as M.D. surgeons, and a 2022 study confirms they actively teach in academic surgical departments across the country.
If a D.O. surgeon is recommended for your procedure and you have questions about their training, the most direct step is to ask your surgeon about their experience with your specific condition — any qualified surgeon is happy to walk you through their background.
References & Sources
- NIH/PMC. “Do Surgeons Faculty Study” A 2022 cross-sectional study characterized DO surgeons who serve as faculty at university-based general surgery departments.
- Aucmed. “Whats the Difference Between Md and Do” MDs graduate from allopathic medical schools, while DOs attend osteopathic medical schools.