<P> While there are private clinics in China, many of the owners of those clinics do not have a western medical education . Most of these private practitioners practice traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). They learned a lineage - based medical system from their parents (mostly from their fathers), took imperial exams to enter medical university pre-PRC, or study at TCM universities in modern China . </P> <P> Physicians now are encouraged to open private clinics or hospitals, and those who have been practicing medicine for five years after they received national physician licenses can open their own clinics . </P> <P> The Chinese medical education system follows the British system, but it compressed from six years to five years to shorten the educational cycle . To become a medical doctor, a person usually needs to study for five years at a medical school . After graduation, young doctor needs to complete 3 - 6 years residency training, some need extended training for subspecialty . Internal medicine usually takes 3 - 4 years residency training, but surgical specialties may takes 5 - 8 years to complete the trainning . </P> <P> Upon graduation, the graduate must work as a resident physician for few years to be eligible to take a National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) for physician certification . This examination is conducted by the National Medical Examination Center (NMEC). Without approval of registration by the Ministry of Health one cannot practice medicine in China as a physician or assistant physician . </P>

How long does it take to become a doctor in china
find me the text answering this question