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Texas CME requirements for anesthesiologists
Texas sets one CME total for physicians in every specialty: 48 hours every 2 years (24 formal Category 1), with 8 mandated topics. As an anesthesiologist you also keep up ABA MOCA 2.0. Below: both, and where one certificate counts for each.
Texas: the state rule
Checked against the Texas Medical Board's rules on October 13, 2026. Citation: Tex. Occ. Code ch. 156; TMB Board rule 161.35.
General CME: 48 hours every 2 years (minimum 24 Category 1).
Opioid / controlled substance
At least 2 hours, safe/effective pain management re: prescribing opioids & other CS. First two renewal periods, then at least every 8 years. Trigger: renewals designating direct patient care.
No board pre-approval needed: any ACCME AMA PRA Category 1 course covering §156.055 content counts. CE Broker reporting has been mandatory since September 1, 2026 (SB 912): renewal will not open without a CE Broker 'Complete' status.
Mandated topics, and whether each reaches anesthesiologists
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Who it applies to | For anesthesiologists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics and professional responsibility (includes risk management, domestic abuse and child abuse) | 2 | per biennium | all | Applies to all physicians. |
| Controlled substances / opioid / pain management | 2 | first 2 renewal periods, then at least every 8 years | physicians in direct patient care (non-direct-care may waive) | Applies if you provide direct patient care. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Human trafficking prevention (standalone, HHSC-approved) | 1 | 1st renewal then every 3rd renewal | physicians in direct patient care | Applies if you provide direct patient care. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Pain management clinic CME | 10 | biennial (per 22 TAC 172.3(d)(2)) | pain-clinic directors/personnel | Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Nutrition and metabolic health | 1 | every renewal, for licenses expiring on or after May 30, 2027 | all physicians (Tex. Occ. Code §156.061; 22 TAC 161.35) | Applies to all physicians. |
| Laws governing pregnancy-related medical emergencies (TMB's own free course, via MyTMB) | 1 | one-time (before first renewal after 1/1/2026) | physicians providing obstetric care | Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| Forensic evidence collection / sexual assault survivor care (HB 47): SASTF-approved courses only | 2 | per 2-year cycle, beginning with licenses expiring 2/28/2027 (no approved coursework yet) | any physician treating patients in an ER or urgent-care setting, practice setting, not specialty; attest out via CE Broker if this isn't you | Applies by setting, not specialty: only if you treat patients in an ER or urgent-care setting. Check whether this applies to your practice. |
| EMS (off-line) medical direction | 12 initial, then 1 per renewal | 12 hours within 2 years of notifying the Board (or ABMS EMS board certification / AOA CAQ / a DSHS-approved course), then 1 hour each biennial renewal (Board rule 169.12) | off-line EMS medical directors | Check whether this applies to your practice. |
Notes from the Texas page
- (1) Opioid and controlled-substance CME: 2 hours within the first year of licensure and at the second renewal, then at least every 8 years (Occ. Code 156.055), for physicians in direct patient care. (2) Pain-clinic CME: 10 hours every 2 years (22 TAC 172.3(d)(2)). (3) Nutrition and metabolic health: 1 hour at every renewal for licenses expiring on or after May 30, 2027 (Tex. Occ. Code §156.061; 22 TAC 161.35).
Full detail, including the rules for NPs, PAs, CRNAs and CAAs: Texas CME requirements.
Your board: ABA MOCA 2.0
Board figures as tracked in the Ledger, last checked August 1, 2026. Confirm in your board portal.
The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) runs MOCA 2.0. If you were certified in 2024 or later you are on a 5-year cycle: 125 AMA PRA Category 1 credits, at least 10 of them in patient safety. If you were certified earlier you stay on a 10-year cycle of 250 credits (at least 20 patient safety) until it expires.
Everyone also answers MOCA Minute questions, 120 a year (30 a quarter), and completes QI activities. The ABA counts AMA PRA Category 1, AOA Category 1-A and RCPSC/AFMC accredited CPD only; Category 2 does not count.
DOs certified by the AOBA follow the AOA's Osteopathic Continuous Certification instead, with different credit rules.
What usually overlaps
- Opioid course. An accredited opioid course that covers Texas's required content can count toward the opioid requirement and toward the general 48-hour total at the same time, when the activity awards the credit Texas accepts.
- Board CME. ABA credit is Category 1 only. A Category 1 certificate can count toward your MOCA total and toward Texas's hours at the same time; a Category 2 activity can only help on the state side, where the state accepts it. Check what credit each certificate awards.
- Federal MATE Act. If you hold a DEA registration, the one-time 8-hour training is federal and does not replace Texas's own rules. A MATE-qualifying accredited course will usually still count toward Texas's general total.
For anesthesiologists in Texas
- Pace: Texas asks for 48 hours every 2 years, about 24 a year. ABA asks for 125 credits over 5 years (250 over 10 on the older track), about 25 a year. Certificates that carry credit both accept count toward each, so plan to the larger of the two.
- Texas's total: 48 hours (24 formal Category 1). The ABA counts Category 1 only, so the Category 1 hours are the ones that also move your MOCA total.
One record for your licenses and your board
The Ledger counts one certificate toward every state and board requirement it satisfies, at full hours each, and reminds you before anything is due. 30 days free with a card on file.
Common questions
How many CME hours does Texas require for anesthesiologists?
Texas's total is the same for physicians in every specialty: 48 hours every 2 years (24 formal Category 1), plus 8 mandated topics, some limited to certain practices. Checked against the Texas Medical Board's rules on October 13, 2026.
Does ABA MOCA CME count toward Texas's CME hours?
ABA credit is Category 1 only. A Category 1 certificate can count toward your MOCA total and toward Texas's hours at the same time; a Category 2 activity can only help on the state side, where the state accepts it. Check what credit each certificate awards.
Related
- Texas CME requirements, all professions
- CME requirements for all 51 jurisdictions
- CME by state and specialty
- Opioid and controlled-substance CME by state
A summary of the Texas physician rules as checked on October 13, 2026 and of ABA rules as last checked August 1, 2026. Informational, not legal advice. Rules change mid-cycle: verify with the Texas Medical Board and your board before relying on any entry.