Graduate medical education refers to the period of training that medical school graduates undergo in order to become licensed physicians. This training typically consists of a residency program, where physicians work under the guidance of experienced doctors in a particular specialty. Graduate medical education aims to provide physicians with the hands-on experience and advanced skills necessary to practice medicine independently and competently. Each specialty has its own specific requirements and duration for residency training, which can range from three to seven years or more. Graduate medical education is overseen by accrediting bodies such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in the United States, which sets standards for residency programs to ensure that physicians receive a high-quality education and training experience.