# FAQs on How Many Physicians in the US
## Introducing How Many Physicians in the US
The US is home to many physicians, with the American Medical Association (AMA) estimating that there were 1,093,936 active physicians in the US in 2020. This includes doctors of medicine (MDs), doctors of osteopathy (DOs), medical students, and residents.
## Who Counts as a Physician in the US?
A physician in the US is defined as any medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) who holds a valid license to practice medicine in the US. This includes medical students, residents, and fellows who are enrolled in accredited medical programs.
## How Many Doctors of Medicine (MDs) in the US?
There were 941,322 MDs in practice in the US in 2020, according to the AMA. This includes MDs in all specialties, including primary care, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgery.
## How Many Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) in the US?
There were 152,614 DOs in practice in the US in 2020, according to the AMA. DOs are fully-licensed physicians who practice the same scope of medicine as MDs, but they also use osteopathic manipulation to treat a variety of medical conditions.
## How Many Doctors per Capita in the US?
In 2020, there were roughly 3.2 physicians per 1,000 people in the US, according to the AMA. This number varies by state, with some states having fewer than 2 physicians per 1,000 people and other states having more than 4 physicians per 1,000 people.
## Where Do Most Physicians Practice in the US?
Most physicians in the US practice in urban areas, with the majority of physicians practicing in the states of California, New York, and Texas. However, rural areas also have a significant number of physicians, with over 20% of physicians practicing in rural areas in 2020.
## How Many Physicians are Retired or Inactive in the US?
As of 2020, there were approximately 136,000 retired or inactive physicians in the US, according to the AMA. This includes physicians who are no longer practicing medicine, as well as those who are on leave, deceased, or otherwise inactive.
## How Many Female Physicians in the US?
In 2020, there were roughly 587,000 female physicians in the US, according to the AMA. This represents 54% of all physicians in the US, and it is a significant increase from the 41% of female physicians in the US in 2010.
## How Many Medical Students and Residents in the US?
In 2020, there were roughly 145,000 medical students and residents in the US, according to the AMA. This includes students enrolled in medical schools and residents enrolled in accredited residency programs.
## What Percent of Physicians are Board-Certified in the US?
As of 2020, approximately 95% of physicians in the US are board-certified, according to the AMA. Board certification is a process by which a physician’s qualifications are evaluated and approved by a medical board or specialty society.
## What Percent of Physicians are in Private Practice in the US?
As of 2020, approximately 62% of physicians in the US are in private practice, according to the AMA. Private practice refers to physicians who are not employed by a hospital or health system, but who instead manage their own practice.
## How Many Physicians are Self-Employed in the US?
As of 2020, there were roughly 725,000 self-employed physicians in the US, according to the AMA. This includes physicians who are solo practitioners, as well as those who are part of a small practice with fewer than 10 physicians.
## Conclusion
The US is home to a large number of physicians, with the AMA estimating that there were 1,093,936 active physicians in the US in 2020. This includes MDs, DOs, medical students, and residents. The majority of physicians in the US are board-certified, and the majority are in private practice. Female physicians make up 54% of all physicians in the US, and self-employed physicians make up 66% of all physicians in the US.
