Although urology is classified as a surgical subspecialty, because of the wide variety of clinical problems encountered, knowledge of internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and other specialties is required by the urologist.

In recognition of the wide scope of urology, the American Urological Association has identified eight subspecialty areas:

• Pediatric Urology -- The treatment of urological problems in children, especially hypospadius, undescended testicles, circumcisions, and kidney cancer.
• Urologic Oncology -- The treatment of cancers of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs (including prostate, bladder, penile, and the testicular cancer in men, and kidney and bladder cancer in women).
• Renal Transplantation -- Kidney transplants
• Male Infertility -- The treatment of problems men have in fathering children.
• Urinary Tract Stones -- The treatment of kidney stones, which are formed when urine becomes too concentrated and chemicals that usually dissolve instead crystallize, sometimes causing severe pain.
• Female Urology -- The treatment of urinary incontinence, pelvic outlet relaxation disorders, and genitourinary trauma (any injury to the genitals or urinary system).
• Neurourology -- The treatment of voiding disorders caused by neurological trauma, or neurological diseases such as neurological disorders multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, or spinal bifida. Also, urodynamic evaluation of patients.
• Erectile dysfunction or impotence -- The treatment of difficulties men have in achieving erection.