New Texas CME requirements for 2027: what's changing and who it applies to
Two new CME rules start in 2027 for Texas physicians. Physicians who treat patients in an emergency room setting (TMB's guidance adds urgent care) need 2 hours of forensic evidence collection CME, starting with licenses that expire February 28, 2027 (HB 47). Every physician needs 1 hour on nutrition and metabolic health, starting with licenses that expire in May 2027 (SB 25). Physicians in TMB's listed specialties must also take TMB's free one-time Life of the Mother Act course (SB 31).
At a glance
| Rule | Who | Hours | Starts | Approved courses | Where you report | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic evidence collection (HB 47) | Statute: physicians treating patients in an emergency room setting. TMB guidance: ER or urgent care | 2, formal or informal | Licenses expiring Feb. 28, 2027 | SASTF-approved only; none yet | CE Broker (reporting temporarily disabled) | Occ. Code §156.057; 22 TAC §161.35(a)(3)(A) |
| Nutrition & metabolic health (SB 25) | All physicians | 1, formal or informal | Licenses expiring on or after May 30, 2027 (the May 31 wave) | Accredited courses following Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee guidelines | CE Broker (category not listed yet) | Occ. Code §156.061; 22 TAC §161.35(a)(3)(B) |
| Life of the Mother Act (SB 31) | TMB's specialty list | One-time course | Already in effect | TMB's course only | MyTMB, not CE Broker | SB 31; TMB CE page |
Forensic evidence collection (HB 47)
Who it covers. The statute applies to physicians "whose practice includes treating patients in an emergency room setting" (Tex. Occ. Code §156.057). TMB's guidance goes further and includes urgent care, and it says your actual work setting matters, not your specialty. Physicians board certified by ABEM, AOBEM or BCEM must take it. TMB also lists specialties that "may be subject" to it. (TMB CE requirements)
What the course covers. Per TMA's summary of §156.057, the 5 required topics are:
- Trauma-informed care
- Referrals and prophylactic medications
- Survivor rights under Code of Criminal Procedure ch. 56A, including the right to an advocate and a forensic exam
- Evidence collection methods
- The law on evidence custody, transfer and tracking
When it starts. TMB says the requirement "will begin for physicians and physician assistants whose license expire on February 28, 2027", because no approved course exists yet. TMA words it as renewals filed on or after February 28, 2027. Courses must be approved by the Governor's Sexual Assault Survivors' Task Force (SASTF), and TMB will post the list. The rule amendment took effect September 3, 2026 (Texas Register, Aug. 28, 2026).
Not in an ER? File the "Not Working in an ER Setting" attestation under Additional Options in CE Broker. As of October 16, 2026, CE Broker's Texas page shows "Forensic Evidence CME (*reporting temporarily disabled)".
Watch out: don't treat any course as meeting HB 47 until it appears on TMB's list. For example, NetCE's "Sexual Assault" course is marketed to licensees who perform forensic examinations. That's a different, older requirement (§161.35(f) and Health & Safety Code §323.0045), not HB 47.
Nutrition and metabolic health (SB 25)
Every physician needs at least 1 hour each renewal, starting with licenses that expire in May 2027. TMB's wording is "on or after May 30, 2027"; the May renewal wave expires May 31. The course has to follow guidelines from the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee (Health & Safety Code ch. 119B), and formal or informal accredited credit counts (Tex. Occ. Code §156.061). As of October 16, 2026, CE Broker's Texas requirement list doesn't show this category yet.
Life of the Mother Act (SB 31)
- One-time course on pregnancy-related medical emergencies.
- Free, and taken only in MyTMB. Similar courses from other providers count only as general CME.
- Not reported in CE Broker. Renewal stays blocked until TMB's system shows it complete.
- Who: TMB's specialty list, including OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine, obstetric anesthesia, critical care OB/GYN, family medicine/family practice, emergency medicine, urgent care–FP, pediatric emergency medicine and others, plus ABOG/AOBOG certifications. OB/GYNs who no longer deliver still must take it.
- It isn't AMA Category 1, but TMB says you can report it in CE Broker as ethics.
The TexasCMELog tracker keeps SB 31 out of your CE Broker copy-card queue and reminds you to finish it in MyTMB.
What this means by renewal wave
| Your license expires | New rules that apply |
|---|---|
| Nov. 30, 2026 | None of the new hour rules (SB 31 if your specialty is listed) |
| Feb. 28, 2027 | + forensic evidence if you work in an ER (statute) or urgent care (TMB guidance) |
| May 31, 2027 onward | + nutrition for everyone; forensic if ER/urgent care |
See the renewal dates page for your wave, or check your own license in the tracker.
Rule history
Chapter 166 was repealed effective January 9, 2025, and the CME rules moved to 22 TAC §161.35 (Texas Register, Jan. 10, 2025). The HB 47 and SB 25 amendments were adopted effective September 3, 2026.
We'll update this post when TMB posts the SASTF-approved course list, or when CE Broker turns forensic reporting back on or adds nutrition. Full rules: Texas CME requirements: what's new. Related: Nov. 30, 2026 checklist, CE Broker Basic guide.
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 needs the Texas forensic evidence CME?
Physicians whose practice includes treating patients in an emergency room setting. TMB applies it to physicians working in ER or urgent care settings, and physicians board certified by ABEM, AOBEM or BCEM must take it. It requires 2 hours from a course approved by the Governor's Sexual Assault Survivors' Task Force.
When does the forensic evidence CME requirement start?
TMB says the requirement begins for physicians whose licenses expire on February 28, 2027, because no approved coursework was available earlier. TMB will post a list of acceptable courses.
I don't work in an ER. What do I do about the forensic CME in CE Broker?
File the Not Working in an ER Setting attestation under Additional Options in CE Broker. It removes the forensic evidence requirement from your list.
What is the Texas nutrition and metabolic health CME requirement?
All physicians must complete at least 1 hour of CME on nutrition and metabolic health based on Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee guidelines. TMB says it applies to licenses expiring on or after May 30, 2027. Formal or informal accredited courses count.
Who must take the Life of the Mother Act course?
Physicians in specialties TMB lists as involving obstetric or pregnancy-related emergency care, including obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, family medicine and emergency medicine. It is a free, one-time course taken in MyTMB, and only TMB's course satisfies the requirement.
Sources
- TMB: Continuing education requirements for physicians (Forensic, Nutrition, Other Specialty, FAQs) (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- Texas Register, Aug. 28, 2026: adopted §161.35 amendments (HB 47 / SB 25) (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- Tex. Occ. Code ch. 156 (§§156.057, 156.061) (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- TMA Knowledge Center: forensic evidence CME FAQ (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- Office of the Governor: SASTF resources for healthcare professionals (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- CE Broker: Texas physicians (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- CE Broker help: Texas physician exemptions (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
- Texas Register, Jan. 10, 2025: Ch. 161 rewrite / Ch. 166 repeal (accessed Oct. 16, 2026)
Spot something wrong or out of date? Report an error.
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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. 16, 2026. How we verify. Not affiliated with the Texas Medical Board or CE Broker. Informational only; confirm with TMB.