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Requirements

Texas · MD and DO

Texas: Pain management and the prescription of opioids

MD: 2 hours, once every 8 years · DO: 2 hours, once every 8 years.

Plan my Texas renewal

Last verified against the sources below. Requirements change — confirm with your Board before you rely on this page. This is general information, not legal advice.

MD (medical doctor)

Hours
2 hours
How often
Once every 8 years
Who
Only some physicians — see the rule note
Renewal cycle
Renews every 2 years; licenses expire on February 28, May 31, August 31 or November 30 — whichever date the Board assigned at licensure — in even-numbered years for even-numbered licenses and odd-numbered years for odd-numbered licenses.
Board
Texas Medical Board
The rule
Occupations Code §156.055 and 22 TAC §161.35(a)(2)(C): physicians who designate a direct patient care practice. 2 formal hours within one year of license issuance and again in the second renewal period, then 2 hours every 8 years (every 4 renewals). Content: standards of care, identifying drug-seeking behavior, communicating with patients about opioids and other controlled substances. Counts toward the ethics/professional responsibility hours; cannot be carried forward.

DO (osteopathic physician)

Hours
2 hours
How often
Once every 8 years
Who
Only some physicians — see the rule note
Renewal cycle
Renews every 2 years; licenses expire on February 28, May 31, August 31 or November 30 — whichever date the Board assigned at licensure — in even-numbered years for even-numbered licenses and odd-numbered years for odd-numbered licenses.
Board
Texas Medical Board
The rule
Occupations Code §156.055 and 22 TAC §161.35(a)(2)(C): physicians who designate a direct patient care practice. 2 formal hours within one year of license issuance and again in the second renewal period, then 2 hours every 8 years (every 4 renewals). Content: standards of care, identifying drug-seeking behavior, communicating with patients about opioids and other controlled substances. Counts toward the ethics/professional responsibility hours; cannot be carried forward.

What to do next

Other states that require it

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine and 13 more. Every state that requires it

Sources

  1. Texas Medical Board — Continuing Education Requirements for Physicians
  2. Texas Medical Board — Physician CME Hours Requirement Chart (PDF)
  3. Texas Medical Board — Physician Renewal (expiration dates, grace period)
  4. Texas Medical Board — Continuing Education Tracking (CE Broker, required from September 1, 2026)
  5. 22 TAC §161.35 — CME Requirements for License Renewal (text effective January 9, 2025, via Cornell LII)
  6. Texas Register, July 10, 2026 (51 TexReg 4460) — proposed amendments to §161.35 (forensic evidence; nutrition and metabolic health)
  7. Texas Register, August 28, 2026 — §161.35 amendments adopted without changes, effective September 3, 2026
  8. 22 TAC §161.30 — Registration of license (via Cornell LII)
  9. 22 TAC §161.31 — Exemptions from registration fee and CME (via Cornell LII)
  10. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 156 — Registration of physicians and CME (§§156.051–156.061)
  11. SB 31 (89th Legislature), Section 19 — Life of the Mother Act course
  12. HB 47 (89th Legislature), enrolled — forensic evidence collection CME (Occupations Code §156.057)
  13. Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee — 2026 annual report and Dietary Guidelines for Texans (PDF)

MD facts last verified October 8, 2026 · DO facts last verified October 8, 2026.