According to the American Medical Association, there are over 650,000 physicians in the United States. A serious charge can result in disciplinary action against a physician. A serious offense, such as providing substandard care or a criminal conviction can result in the loss of the physician's license in that state. Even the loss of a malpractice suit doesn't necessarily mean the loss of a medical license.
Several resources are available for consumers.
The first place to check is your state medical board, which can tell you if the doctor is licensed to practice medicine in your state. Many states will provide information on disciplinary action against a physician, but the information may not be complete. State medical boards do not give out information on malpractice claims. Address and telephone numbers are given if you need to find a doctor outside your area. The company compiles information on every licensed physician in the U.S. using information from the AMA, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and state medical and osteopathic boards.