Documenting the US Physician Workforce: Past, Present, and Future

. This commentary highlights the Licensed Physician Censuses published biennially by the Federation of State Medical Boards between 2010 to 2022 and provides an overview of the forthcoming census, which will be featured in the next issue of the Journal of Medical Regulation. These censuses identify all actively licensed physicians in the US and the District of Columbia, offering critical insights into demographic, educational, and licensure trends. By analyzing physician workforce patterns, these comprehensive snapshots help inform policymakers and healthcare professionals about workforce assessments and strategic planning efforts.