New CME reporting rules begin Sept. 1

Beginning Sept. 1, renewing a Texas medical license will involve one important new step for family physicians: documenting continuing medical education through CE Broker, the Texas Medical Board’s new official CME reporting and verification system.

The change doesn’t increase physicians’ CME requirements. Instead, it changes how compliance is documented. Under the new system, the Texas Medical Board will verify CME through CE Broker before approving license renewals, making it important for physicians to establish an account and ensure their education is properly recorded.

CME completed by members through the Texas Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians is automatically reported to CE Broker. Physicians who earn CME from other providers may need to upload certificates of completion or verify that those providers report credits electronically.

What’s staying the same?

Texas physicians must continue to complete 48 hours of CME every 24 months, including 24 hours of formal AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, AAFP Prescribed, or AOA Category 1-A education. At least two hours must address medical ethics or professional responsibility.

Because family physicians provide direct patient care, they also must complete required education related to pain management and opioid prescribing, as well as human trafficking prevention.

Other CME changes to know

A new nutrition and metabolic health CME requirement takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Because Texas physicians renew their licenses on a biennial cycle, when the requirement first applies depends on each physician's renewal year. Physicians renewing in 2027 will be the first required to complete the nutrition education requirement.

In addition to the new nutrition requirement, family physicians should be aware of two other changes. Physicians in specialties designated by the Texas Medical Board, including family medicine, must complete a new, one-time Life of the Mother Act course on pregnancy-related medical emergencies before renewing their license if they have not yet completed the course. 

And beginning with renewals on or after Sept. 1, 2026, physicians whose practice includes treating patients in an emergency room setting must complete two hours of CME related to forensic evidence collection.

Getting started with CE Broker

Physicians should create a CE Broker account using their Texas medical license number, then review their course history to confirm which CME credits have already been reported. For education that doesn’t appear automatically, physicians can upload certificates of completion or, when available, have accredited institutions synchronize credits directly with CE Broker.

Before renewing a license, physicians should verify that all required CME appears in their CE Broker record and keep copies of their certificates for their own records.

Do you need a paid account?

No. A free basic CE Broker account satisfies the Texas Medical Board’s reporting requirement.

CE Broker also offers paid subscription levels with additional tracking and reporting features, but those services are optional.

“We’ve heard this question from physicians across the state,” says Jessica Miley, TAFP’s director of CME compliance. “For most family physicians, the free basic account provides everything needed to meet the board’s reporting requirement.”

What family physicians should do now

There’s no reason to wait until renewal season. A few minutes of preparation now can help avoid last-minute surprises.

• Create a free CE Broker account.
• Verify your renewal year.
• Confirm that CME completed through TAFP, AAFP, and other providers is appearing in your account.
• Upload certificates for CME that has not been reported automatically.
• Review your compliance status before beginning the renewal process.

“The easiest way to avoid stress at renewal time is to get your account set up early,” Miley says. “Check your record now, and you’ll have plenty of time to address any issues before your renewal deadline.”

For more information, visit the TMB Continuing Education Tracking page, CE Broker, and the CE Broker support page.