ABSTRACT:
The 2024 physician census conducted by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) documents a total of 1,082,187 actively licensed physicians across the United States and the District of Columbia, marking a 27% growth since 2010. These physicians represent graduates from 2,392 medical schools spanning 171 countries. US medical graduates (USMGs) comprise 77% of the workforce, while international medical graduates (IMGs) account for 23%, with a growing share of US citizens among IMGs. Women now account for 39% of all licensed physicians—a 65% increase since 2010—and the number of osteopathic physicians (DOs) has more than doubled during the same period. The mean age of physicians is 51.8 years, with nearly one-third aged 60 or older, highlighting potential future workforce attrition. Multi-state licensure is on the rise, with 24% of physicians holding more than one license, a trend accelerated by regulatory innovations such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and the expansion of telehealth services. In 2024 alone, a record 146,000 licenses were issued by state medical boards. Despite these positive trends, the physician workforce faces persistent shortages, rising attrition rates, and growing demand for healthcare services. Against this backdrop, reliable and timely workforce data are indispensable for effective decision-making and for preserving access to safe, high-quality care.
