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Texas CME requirements for emergency physicians
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 emergency physician you also keep up ABEM Continuing Certification (MyEMCert). 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 emergency physicians
| Topic | Hours | Timing | Who it applies to | For emergency physicians |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Likely applies if you treat patients in an ER: the page ties it to that setting, not to specialty. |
| 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: ABEM Continuing Certification (MyEMCert)
Board figures as tracked in the Ledger, last checked July 25, 2026. Confirm in your board portal.
The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) runs Continuing Certification on a 5-year cycle: pass 4 MyEMCert modules, complete 1 Patient-Care Practice Improvement activity, and attest an unrestricted license each year.
ABEM sets no CME-credit total. Credit is earned through the modules, and your state licenses still set their own CME totals.
DOs certified by the AOBEM 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. ABEM sets no CME total of its own, but completed MyEMCert modules come with CME certificates. Each one can count toward Texas's hours when it awards credit Texas accepts. 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 emergency physicians in Texas
- Forensic evidence collection / sexual assault survivor care (HB 47): SASTF-approved courses only: 2 hours, per 2-year cycle, beginning with licenses expiring 2/28/2027 (no approved coursework yet). Likely applies if you treat patients in an ER: the page ties it to that setting, not to specialty.
- ABEM sets no CME-credit total, so Texas's 48 hours every 2 years is your CME number. Keep MyEMCert module certificates: they can count toward it.
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 emergency physicians?
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 ABEM continuing certification count toward Texas's CME hours?
ABEM sets no CME total of its own, but completed MyEMCert modules come with CME certificates. Each one can count toward Texas's hours when it awards credit Texas accepts. 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 ABEM rules as last checked July 25, 2026. Informational, not legal advice. Rules change mid-cycle: verify with the Texas Medical Board and your board before relying on any entry.