CME Requirements for Emergency Physicians

Physicians are required to complete 48 credits of continuing medical education every 24 months. At least half of these hours must be in formal category 1 or 1A courses.

Mandatory CE Tracking for all Texas Medical Board (TMB) licensees begins September 1, 2026.

Subject Area	Hours Required	Applicability	Frequency
Medical Ethics (Category 1 or 1A)	2	All physicians	each renewal period
Pain Management and Opioid Prescribing (Category 1 or 1A)	2	Any physician who practices direct patient care	1) within 1 year of issuance; and again, for the next renewal; and 2) for existing physicians every 4 renewals (every 8 years)
Human Trafficking Prevention	Yes	any physician who practices direct patient care	1) prior to first renewal; and 2) for existing physicians every 3 renewals (every 6 years)
The Life of the Mother Act	Yes	Emergency Medicine physicians ARE required to complete the course. See the list below to determine which other specialties are required to take the Life of the Mother Act CME: Maternal and Fetal Medicine Obstetrical Anesthesia Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstetrics Obstetrics & Gynecological Surgery Critical Care Medicine (OBGYN) Emergency Medicine Family Practice - Emergency Med Internal Med - Emergency Med Family Medicine Family Practice Urgent Care - Family Practice Pediatric Emergency Medicine (EM) Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEDS)	-one time requirement -Course is FREE and accessible through MyTMB.
Tick-Borne Diseases	optional	any physician whose practice includes the treatment of tick-borne diseases	encouraged to complete
EMS Medical Director (aka Off-Line Medical Director)	12	any physician who is a registered off-line medical director for EMS services	1) within two years (see section and Board rule for full requirements) 2) one hour each subsequent biennial renewal

Pending/Future Updates

Subject Area

Hours Required

Applicability

Frequency

Forensic Examinations

Physicians whose practice includes treating patients in an emergency room setting must take this course.

Required Board Certified physicians include:

American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)
American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM)
Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM)

The following specialties may be subject to taking the course:

Critical Care Medicine (IM)
Critical Care Medicine (OBGYN)
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medicine
Emergency/Trauma Radiology
Family Practice - Emergency Med
Internal Med - Emergency Med
Pediatric Emergency Medicine (EM)
Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEDS)
Sports Medicine – Emergency Med
Urgent Care - Family Practice
Urgent Care Medicine

-each renewal period
-Note: No CME courses are available at this time. The requirement will begin for physicians whose license expire on February 28, 2027.

Nutrition and Metabolic Health

unknown

all physicians

each renewal period

For additional information about CME requirements for physicians, visit the TMB's website.