To become a nephrologist, which credential typically follows residency?

• A. Certification in internal medicine
• B. Residency in nephrology
• C. Fellowship in nephrology
• D. Board certification in family medicine

Answer: (C)

After finishing a residency in internal medicine, a physician who wants to specialize in kidney care pursues a nephrology fellowship. This fellowship provides focused, hands-on training in renal diseases, dialysis, and transplant issues, which is what equips a physician to practice as a nephrologist. While board certification in nephrology is typically pursued after completing the fellowship, the credential that directly follows residency to become a nephrologist is the nephrology fellowship. Certification in internal medicine is earned during internal medicine training, and a residency in nephrology isn’t a separate step before internal medicine—internists first complete internal medicine residency. A board certificate in family medicine is unrelated to nephrology.