Featured | Jul 5, 2025
Texas physicians must complete 48 CME hours every two years, including 24 formal credits, 2 in medical ethics, 2 in pain/opioid prescribing, and a human trafficking prevention course approved by Texas HHS.
As healthcare advances, Texas’s CME requirements serve as a cornerstone in upholding high standards in medical practice. In this dynamic field, where progress is constant, Continuing Medical Education (CME) ensures healthcare providers remain at the forefront of medical knowledge. This guide explores Texas's CME requirements for medical license renewal, offering healthcare practitioners a roadmap to meet their obligations and excel in a demanding, innovative environment.
The Texas Medical Board (TMB) oversees the licensure and regulation of physicians and physician assistants in the state. As of the latest information available, Texas has established the following CME requirements: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=9&ch=166&rl=2
Your credential requirements
Texas MD
Due: 31 Dec, 2025
progress
Profession: Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
CME Credits Required: 48
Licensure Cycle: Every Two Years
Credit Type: 24 credit hours of AMA Category 1 CME ( AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, AAFP Prescribed Credit, and AOA Category 1-A )are required every 2 years.
Special CME Requirements
“Physician CME Requirements (per biennium):24 Formal Category 1 or 1A hours”
“At least 2 of the 24 formal hours must involve the study of medical ethics and/or professional responsibility. Professional responsibility includes but is not limited to courses in: Risk management, Domestic Abuse; or Child Abuse. Formal courses must be approved for ethics or professional responsibility credit by the accrediting agency. “
“At least 2 of the 24 formal hours must involve the study of the following topics:
• best practices, alternative treatment options, and multi-modal approaches to pain management that may include physical therapy, psychotherapy, and other treatments;
• safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances, including education regarding:
- standards of care;
- identification of drug-seeking behavior in patients; and
- effectively communicating with patients regarding the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substances; and
• prescribing and monitoring of controlled substances.”
“As part of the 24 formal hrs required, a course in human trafficking prevention must be completed.”
More information on Texas CME requirements for physicians on the state medical board
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Medical doctors (MDs) in Texas must complete 48 CME credits every two years. This includes:
Refer to the Texas Medical Board CME Rules – 22 TAC §166.2
In Texas, MDs must complete 48 CME credits every two years. At least 24 hours must be formal credits, and certain hours must cover ethics, pain/opioids, and human trafficking topics.
More information is available on the Texas Medical Board CME page
Required topics include:
Human trafficking training must be completed using an approved course from Texas HHS
MDs must renew their CME credits every two years, completing 48 hours per licensure cycle, including the required formal and topic-specific courses.
Refer to Texas Administrative Code §166.2 for full details.
DOs in Texas follow the same CME requirements as MDs:
Human trafficking prevention training, completed every 2 years via a Texas HHS-approved course
DOs must complete 48 CME hours per two-year cycle, just like MDs. They must also meet all topic-specific requirements listed above.
Refer to the official rule at 22 TAC §166.2
Required topics for DOs include:
Like MDs, DOs must complete 48 CME credits every two years, meeting both general and topic-specific requirements.
