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Objectives: To assess the time required for training in colonoscopy during one year., Material and Methods: All complete colonoscopies performed under general anesthesia in patients having an intact colon were included., Results: The mean duration of 362 colonoscopies was 23 +/- 12 min. The time required by a senior alone was 19 +/- 9 min (n = 129). There was a significant increase in procedural time (P = 0.001) if a trainee was involved in the case (n = 68) (28 +/- 12 min) and if an assistant carried out the procedure (n = 165) alone (25 +/- 14 min) or with a trainee (27 +/- 9 min). We estimated the time which would have been required for the seniors to perform all the colonoscopies. This time was increased by 24.4% by education of trainees and self-training of assistants., Conclusion: The duration of colonoscopy is increased by education, the cost of which should be assessed.