Physician Registration/Renewal FAQ
Is payment due before the expiration of the physician's license?
Yes. The completed registration application and payment are due on or before the expiration date of the permit. However, you should allow at least 5 working days for the processing of the application, the fee and posting to the computer system.
What are the penalties for registering late?
There is a 30-day grace period following expiration of a registration permit. Penalties are as follows:§ 30 days following expiration of permit - $0
§ Permit expired longer than 30 days, but less than 91 - $75
§ Permit expired longer than 90 days, but less than one year - $150
§ License is considered cancelled if not registered at one year.
Am I required to complete CME to register my license?
Yes. Physicians need to complete at least 24 hours of continuing medical education each year, at least half of which must be in formal courses. One hour of formal CME must be in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility. A physician must report on the registration form if she or he has completed the required CME. However, newly licensed physicians are exempt from the CME requirements the first time they register.Do I need to send copies of my CME certificates with my application?
No. You will need to provide these documents if you are selected in a random CME audit conducted after each registration period or if you receive a written request from Board staff to present these documents.
Can I give my change of address over the phone?
No. Changes in mailing or practice addresses must be submitted in writing (Click for Change of Address Form). Written changes can be sent to
TMB
MC-240
P.O. Box 2029
Austin, TX 78768-2029or by fax to the attention of Registration at (512) 463-9416.
Is there an inactive status in Texas?
No.
Is there a retired status in Texas?
Yes. A physician on an official retired status is exempt from the registration fee. To be eligible for retired status, a physician's license cannot be under investigation, under a Board order, or be otherwise restricted. Physicians on a retired status must not engage in clinical activities or practice in any state, must not prescribe or administer drugs to anyone, nor may the physician possess a DEA or Texas controlled substance number. Additionally, the physician's license may not be endorsed to any state.
A physician whose license has been placed on official retired status must obtain the approval of the board before returning to active status. The physician should contact the board for information on the approval procedure.Click here for additional information.
Is there an exemption for retired physicians providing voluntary charity care?
Yes. A retired physician whose only clinical practice is the provision of voluntary charity care to indigent populations shall be exempt from the registration fee but must register the license as well as report CME. The physician's practice of medicine must not include the provision of medical services for either direct or indirect compensation which has monetary value of any kind and the physician's practice is limited to voluntary charity care to indigent populations and receives no direct or indirect compensation of any kind for medical services rendered. Also, the physician's practice cannot include the provision of medical services to family members or the self-prescribing of controlled substances or dangerous drugs.
A physician who violates the provisions of this exemption may be subject to disciplinary action. Action may be based on unprofessional or dishonorable conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or injure the public if the physician engages in the compensated practice of medicine, provides medical services to members of the physician's family, or self-prescribes controlled substances or dangerous drugs.
Additionally, a physician who attempts to obtain this exemption by submitting false or misleading statements shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the Medical Practice Act, in addition to any civil or criminal actions provided for by the state or federal law.Click here for additional information.
Is there a way to request the cancellation of my license?
Yes. At any time a physician may request to cancel his or her license. However, once a license is cancelled, in order to reactivate it, a physician will be required to apply for relicensure and meet all requirements for licensure in effect at the time of application.
Click here for additional information.
Can fees be refunded?
Refunds of registration fees are available in very limited circumstances. Registration fees may be refunded in cases of administrative error by the TMB, licensees who retire or requests cancellation within 90 days of paying the registration fee, or on behalf of licensees who die within 90 days of paying the registration fee.
What do I need to do to change the name I use professionally?
You must provide us with a statement that gives an explanation of your request as well as a notarized copy of the legal document(s) that granted your name change, i.e. marriage license, divorce decree etc. Click here for the Name Change Application form. Mail your statement and notarized copies to:
Texas Medical Board, MC-241
P.O. Box 2029
Austin, TX 78768-2029Why has my registration fee been increased?
For a breakdown of the current registration fees, click here.
What information is available on my Profile? How do I check it and/or correct errors?
Click here for information on the contents of the profile system.
Profile changes/corrections/updates must be submitted in writing, with a signature. Written changes can be sent to:
TMB
P.O. Box 2029
MC-906
Austin, TX 78768-2029
(f) 512-463-9416Click here to check your profile information. If you prefer, a copy of your profile information will be provided to you upon request.
I am an anesthesiologist. I contract out my services to other physicians to provide anesthesia for procedures in their offices. Since the anesthesia is not done in my office and I am only a contractor, do I need to register for Office Based Anesthesia (OBA)?
Yes, both the anesthesiologist and the physician performing the procedure should be registered for OBA. Statute states that each physician who administers anesthesia or performs a procedure for which anesthesia services are performed in an outpatient setting shall register for OBA and comply with current OBA regulations.
DISCLAIMER:
Any and all statements herein should not be construed as official policy or positions of the Texas Medical Board and are merely provided by Board staff for general guidance. No individual staff member is authorized to provide a binding opinion or statement for the full Board. Nothing herein should be construed as legal advice for any particular situation.