The Texas Medical Board may grant a physician applicant a limited provisional license to practice medicine in an area designated by the federal government as a health professional shortage area (HPSA) or by the federal or state government as a medically underserved area (MUA) if certain criteria are met.  The provisional license is valid for a maximum of 270 days, by law, and cannot be extended.  To qualify, an applicant:

• Must have filed an application for physician licensure in Texas;
• Must be licensed in good standing as a physician in another state;
• Must have passed an examination recognized by the board within the number of attempts allowed;
• Must have submitted information to enable the board to conduct a criminal background check, including fingerprints;
• May not have an unacceptable criminal history;
• Must be sponsored by a Texas licensed physician with whom the provisional license holder may practice; or been granted a waiver of this requirement due to hardship;
• Cannot have had a medical license suspended or revoked by another state or a Canadian province;
• Cannot hold a medical license issued by another state or a Canadian province that is subject to a restriction, disciplinary order, or probationary order; and,
• Must practice in a HPSA or an MUA.

You must file your physician licensure application online and provide the supplemental documentation listed below for TMB to review and determine whether you qualify for a provisional license. The fee for the license is $107.

Provisional License Application and Sponsorship Form (Form G, PDF)

Supplemental Documentation Checklist:

• Certified licensing examination transcript (Exam Requirements and Documentation)
• Fingerprints for criminal background check (Fingerprints)
• Confirmation of MUA/HPSA practice location

To find out if your intended practice area qualifies as a MUA or HPSA, email the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) a request to research the address at TexasPCO@dshs.state.tx.us.  If your practice area qualifies, DSHS will email verification to you and TMB. 

When confirmation of all the requirements listed above is received and evaluated by TMB, your provisional license will be issued. 

REMINDER – Your provisional license will be valid for a maximum of 270 days.  Do not delay work on your physician licensure application while you practice under your provisional license; if you do not complete the physician licensure application before the provisional license expires, you will have to stop practicing until the physician licensure application is complete.