Why does it take so long to become a lawyer? Why do laywers have a monopoly?

[AGDee]

Physicians aren't licensed to practice upon finishing med school. They then have years of residencies (minimum 3, I believe). It takes 11 years to be a psychiatrist, for example. From the AMA web site:

All physicians educated in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Canada, have completed approximately four years of education in a medical school or college of osteopathic medicine. Most individuals who attended medical school outside the United States are certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Upon completing undergraduate medical education, physicians undertake up to seven years of graduate medical education and or osteopathic graduate medical education. The length of training varies depending on the specialty or subspecialty a physician pursues. Some physicians complete additional residency training in a specialty or subspecialty. After completing residency training and satisfying additional requirements, physicians are eligible for voluntary medical specialty board certification or osteopathic specialty board certification.