Physicians · Texas · Continuing education
Texas CME Requirements for Physicians (2026)
01 In short
- MD/DO48 credits every 2 years, including 2 h opioid prescribing & pain management (every 8 years), 1 h human trafficking (every 6 years), 2 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 10 h pain management; renewal on the date shown on your license, reported through CE Broker.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Texas MD/DO CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 48credits
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- CE Broker
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Category 1 minimum
- 24
- Accepted credit
- At least 24 formal hours: AMA PRA Category 1 (ACCME-accredited sponsor or ACCME-recognized state medical society), AAFP-approved, AOA Category 1-A, or TMA-approved per AMA PRA standards; up to 24 informal hours (self-study, hospital lectures, grand rounds, case conferences)
- Renewal fee
- $491.48
- Carryover
- Up to 48 excess credit hours may be carried forward, for up to two years from the registration following the period earned; ethics/professional responsibility and pain management/opioid hours cannot be carried forward.
- New licensees
- Newly licensed physicians are exempt from the CME requirement at their first registration (targeted topics have their own first-renewal rules).
- Audits & records
- Mandatory CE tracking via CE Broker for all TMB licensees from September 1, 2026; certificates are uploaded to CE Broker before renewal, not sent with the registration.
- Renew online
- www.tmb.texas.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain managementPhysicians in direct patient care: formal CME in pain management and opioid prescribing within 1 year of license issuance and again at the second renewal, then every 8 years (every 4th renewal) | 2 | every 8 years |
| Human traffickingPhysicians in direct patient care: HHSC-approved course in the first renewal period after licensure, then every third renewal period (every 6 years) | 1 | every 6 years |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawAll physicians: 2 of the 24 formal hours in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility (incl. risk management, domestic abuse, child abuse) | 2 | every renewal |
| Pain managementOnly personnel (incl. medical director) of certified pain management clinics, Board Rule 172.3 | 10 | every renewal |
| Forensic evidence collectionPhysicians treating patients in an emergency room/urgent care setting; SASTF-approved course; starts with licenses expiring Feb 28, 2027 (HB 47) | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Presumed compliant (some requirements still apply, see TMB chart): ABMS/AOA board certification or recertification in the preceding 36 months (max one registration); participation in ABMS MOC or AOA OCC that mandates qualifying CME; residency/fellowship training within 6 months before renewal. Retired/voluntary charity care status is exempt.
Good to know. Single board for MD and DO. Also: 1 hr nutrition & metabolic health for all (licenses expiring on/after May 30, 2027); one-time free obstetric emergencies course (Life of the Mother Act, SB 31) for obstetric care; EMS medical directors 1 hr/renewal. Expiry: Feb 28, May 31, Aug 31, Nov 30.
Source: www.tmb.texas.gov · Board rule 161.35; Texas Occupations Code 156.051-156.061 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Texas
05 Questions
Which CE courses count for physicians in Texas?
At least 24 formal hours: AMA PRA Category 1 (ACCME-accredited sponsor or ACCME-recognized state medical society), AAFP-approved, AOA Category 1-A, or TMA-approved per AMA PRA standards; up to 24 informal hours (self-study, hospital lectures, grand rounds, case conferences).
How do I verify a physician license in Texas?
Use the license lookup of the Texas Medical Board (tmb.texas.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal through CE Broker.
How many CE hours do physicians need in Texas?
48 credits every 2 years, at least 24 of them Category 1.
Which CE topics are mandatory for physicians in Texas?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 2 h (every 8 years); Human trafficking — 1 h (every 6 years); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 2 h (every renewal); Pain management — 10 h (every renewal); Forensic evidence collection — 2 h (every renewal).
How much does a physician license renewal cost in Texas?
$491.48 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How do physicians report CE in Texas?
Through CE Broker — the board checks completed hours there at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for physicians in Texas?
Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).