Life of the Mother Act CME: who needs the SB 31 course and how to finish it
Texas physicians in obstetric-related specialties, including OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine, obstetric anesthesia, family medicine and emergency medicine, must complete TMB's one-time Life of the Mother Act course on pregnancy-related medical emergencies. It's free, taken only in MyTMB, and isn't reported in CE Broker. Your renewal stays blocked until TMB shows it complete.
Key facts: Life of the Mother Act (SB 31) CME
- Law
- Senate Bill 31 (89th Legislature), "The Life of the Mother Act" (TMB CE page; Texas Legislature Online)
- What
- One-time mandatory CE course on pregnancy-related medical emergencies (TMB CE page)
- Cost and where
- Free, in MyTMB; certificate of completion available when you finish (TMB FAQ)
- Who
- TMB's list of specialties and ABOG/AOBOG board certifications (below) (TMB FAQ)
- When
- "At the time of application or prior to their next renewal" (TMB FAQ)
- Renewal block
- Required licensees can't proceed with renewal until the course shows complete in TMB's system (TMB CE page)
- CE Broker
- Not reported in CE Broker for SB 31 (TMB FAQ)
- Credit type
- Not AMA PRA Category 1; may count only as ethics, reported under Medical Ethics and/or Professional Responsibility (TMB FAQ)
- Other providers
- Similar courses elsewhere count only as general CME (TMB FAQ)
- Not on the list?
- You can view the slides for information only, with no credit (TMB FAQ)
Last verified October 17, 2026. Not affiliated with TMB or CE Broker.
This page covers the CME logistics only. For what the course teaches, the law itself and TMB's course are the authority: the course covers pregnancy-related medical emergencies, and the enrolled bill is on Texas Legislature Online.
Who has to take the Life of the Mother Act CME?
Physicians whose reported specialty or board certification is on TMB's list must take it. The list covers obstetrics and gynecology, maternal and fetal medicine, obstetrical anesthesia, critical care (OB/GYN), emergency medicine and its family, internal and pediatric variants, family medicine and family practice, and urgent care-family practice, plus ABOG and AOBOG certifications.
TMB's list, as published on its CE page:
| Applicable specialties | Applicable board certifications |
|---|---|
| Maternal and Fetal Medicine; Obstetrical Anesthesia; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Obstetrics; Obstetrics & Gynecological Surgery; Critical Care Medicine (OBGYN); Emergency Medicine; Family Practice - Emergency Med; Internal Med - Emergency Med; Family Medicine; Family Practice; Urgent Care - Family Practice; Pediatric Emergency Medicine (EM); Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEDS) | American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology; ABOG/Critical Care Medicine; ABOG/Maternal and Fetal Medicine; American Osteo Board of OBG/Maternal Fetal; American Osteo Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology |
TMB explains that it can't see individual patient encounters, so it chose specialties known for women's health care and those likely to encounter pregnancy-related emergencies.
I'm an OB/GYN who no longer delivers. Do I still need it?
Yes. TMB says every physician designated as an OB/GYN must complete the one-time course even if they no longer provide obstetric care, because TMB has no way to monitor whether they resume it. The course is free and taken in MyTMB, and once TMB records it as complete, you don't repeat it at later renewals.
How do I take the course in MyTMB?
Log in to MyTMB, open the Life of the Mother Act course, click through every page using the Next button, then check the attestation box and select Submit. Download your certificate of completion. TMB's system records it, so you don't enter it in CE Broker for SB 31 purposes.
- Log in to MyTMB and open the Life of the Mother Act course.
- Go through every page with Next.
- Check the attestation box and select Submit.
- Download and keep your certificate of completion.
Does the Life of the Mother Act course count as Category 1 or ethics?
It isn't AMA PRA Category 1 credit, because TMB isn't an accredited CME provider. For physicians required to take it, TMB says it may count toward the ethics requirement. To use it that way, report it in CE Broker under Medical Ethics and/or Professional Responsibility, and keep your MyTMB certificate with your records.
More on what counts: Texas ethics CME for physicians.
Can I take a Life of the Mother Act course from another CME provider?
Not for the SB 31 requirement. TMB says a course on the same topic from another provider counts only toward your general CME hours. Only the course in MyTMB satisfies the statute. Physicians outside the listed specialties can view TMB's presentation for information, but they can't earn credit for it.
What happens if I don't finish it before renewal?
If you're on TMB's list, online renewal won't proceed until TMB's system shows the course complete. That's separate from CE Broker, so a "Complete" status in CE Broker doesn't clear it. Finish it early, ideally when the renewal window opens 60 to 90 days before your expiration date.
See Texas renewal dates and late renewal and the February 28, 2027 checklist.
Keep SB 31 separate from CE Broker
The free tracker keeps SB 31 out of your CE Broker copy cards and reminds you to finish it in MyTMB.
Open the free trackerIs it a one-time course?
Yes. SB 31 requires a one-time course, so once TMB records it as complete you don't repeat it at later renewals. Keep the certificate. TMB says Registrations will provide additional notice to physicians who reported a board certification or a primary or secondary specialty that may involve obstetric medicine.
Other 2027 changes: new Texas CME requirements · where to take each required topic.
Which other specialty rules apply to you? See Texas CME by specialty.
Check what's due for your license
The free TexasCMELog tracker applies these rules to your renewal cycle and gives you a CE Broker copy card for each course. No account.
Open the tracker Find CME by topicFAQ
Who must take the Life of the Mother Act CME in Texas?
Physicians in the specialties TMB lists, including obstetrics and gynecology, maternal and fetal medicine, obstetrical anesthesia, emergency medicine, family medicine and urgent care-family practice, and physicians with ABOG or AOBOG certifications.
Is the Life of the Mother Act course free?
Yes. TMB offers it free in MyTMB, and a certificate of completion is available once you finish.
Do I report the Life of the Mother Act course in CE Broker?
Not for SB 31 compliance. TMB tracks it in its own system. Physicians required to take it may count it toward ethics, and then report it in CE Broker under Medical Ethics and/or Professional Responsibility.
Is the Life of the Mother Act course AMA Category 1?
No. TMB is not an accredited CME provider, so the course may only be counted as ethics toward the TMB requirement.
Do OB/GYNs who no longer practice obstetrics need the course?
Yes. TMB requires all physicians designated as OB/GYNs to complete the one-time course.
Sources
- TMB: CE requirements for physicians (The Life of the Mother Act; FAQs) (accessed Oct. 17, 2026)
- TMB: Physician renewal (online renewal 60-90 days before expiration) (accessed Oct. 17, 2026)
- Texas Legislature Online: SB 31, 89th Legislature (enrolled text) (accessed Oct. 17, 2026)
Spot something wrong or out of date? Report an error.
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- Texas physician CME checklist for the February 28, 2027 renewal
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About this article
Written by TexasCMELog and checked against primary sources (TMB, 22 TAC §161.35, the Texas Register and the Texas Occupations Code) on Oct. 17, 2026. How we verify. Not affiliated with the Texas Medical Board or CE Broker. Informational only; confirm with TMB.