Primary care physicians will be most needed in the future. With the drive to control healthcare costs, there will be a decline in the number of places for specialists in the health care system. Shortages of physicians are reported in rural and low income areas. Osteopathic physicians tend to locate in states that have osteopathic schools and hospitals, and are more likely to practice in small cities and towns than allopathic physicians. The length of residency programs will vary based on specialization.
All states require their physicians to be licensed.
To do this, a physician must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete a residency program. In addition, those wishing board certification are required to pass a final exam after residency given by the American Osteopathic Association.