An unlicensed physician is a former student who has graduated from medical school but not yet completed postgraduate requirements such as the residency program, internship, or certification exams. After you graduate from medical school, you can call yourself a doctor (and write an MD or DO after your name). However, to obtain a license, you must gain professional experience. You become a licensed physician after completing an internship and passing board exams. Many unlicensed physicians undertake an internship and residency in a specific medical specialty.