Texas CME glossary: the terms TMB and CE Broker use
Category 1 vs Category 2 CME: what's the difference?
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is designated by accredited CME providers for certified activities. Category 2 is credit physicians self-claim for learning that isn't certified, such as reading authoritative literature or consulting peers. In Texas, Category 1, AAFP Prescribed, AOA Category 1-A or TMA-approved credit counts as formal CME, and up to 24 informal credits can come from other learning.
| AMA PRA Category 1 | AMA PRA Category 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who designates it | Accredited CME providers | The physician (self-claimed) |
| Certificate | From the provider | None; you keep your own record |
| Examples | Certified live, online or point-of-care activities | Reading literature, consulting peers, medical writing |
| Texas category | Formal (counts toward the 24) | Not on TMB's formal list; fits informal (up to 24) |
Sources: AMA: Category 2 credit; TMB CE page (formal category).
Do Texas DOs need AOA Category 1-A credit?
Not for your Texas license. TMB accepts AMA PRA Category 1, AAFP Prescribed, AOA Category 1-A or TMA-approved credit as formal CME for every physician, MD or DO. If you maintain AOA board certification, check the AOA's own credit rules separately, because certification rules aren't the same as Texas's license rules.
Texas CME terms
- Formal CME
- Credit designated for AMA PRA Category 1 by an ACCME-accredited sponsor or ACCME-recognized state medical society, AAFP-approved credit, AOA Category 1-A credit, or TMA-approved credit. At least 24 of your 48 credits each registration period must be formal. (source · Formal vs informal)
- Informal CME
- Learning such as self-study, hospital lectures, grand rounds and case conferences. Up to 24 of your 48 credits can be informal. (source · Formal vs informal)
- AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
- Credit that accredited CME providers designate for certified activities. TMB counts it as formal CME when the sponsor is ACCME-accredited or an ACCME-recognized state medical society. (source)
- AMA PRA Category 2 Credit
- Credit physicians self-designate and self-claim for learning not certified for Category 1, such as reading authoritative medical literature, consulting peers or medical writing. It isn't on TMB's formal list, so in Texas it fits only the informal category. (source)
- AOA Category 1-A
- Osteopathic CME credit that TMB counts as formal. Wolters Kluwer says the AOA recognizes UpToDate as Category 2, not 1-A. (source · UpToDate CME in Texas)
- AAFP Prescribed credit
- Credit approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians. TMB counts it as formal CME. (source)
- Medical ethics / professional responsibility
- 2 formal hours every renewal. TMB says professional responsibility includes risk management, domestic abuse and child abuse, and courses must be approved for ethics credit by the accrediting agency. (source · Texas ethics CME)
- Direct patient care
- TMB: any in-person or real-time audio or visual communication with a patient or the patient's legal medical decision-maker for evaluation, treatment, diagnosis, testing or ordering tests, or reviewing or interpreting test results. It triggers the opioid and human trafficking rules. (source)
- Registration permit
- The biennial registration that keeps a Texas license current. It doesn't entitle you to practice unless you've met the CME requirements and completed your physician profile (Occ. Code §156.007(b)). (source · Renewal dates)
- Grace period
- 30 days after expiration to renew the registration permit (Occ. Code §156.004(b)). It's separate from the rule that a CME deficiency can be remedied within 30 days after renewal is due (22 TAC §161.35(c)(1)). (source · Late renewal)
- PIT permit
- A Physician-in-Training permit for residents and fellows. TMB says PIT holders don't need CME or a CE Broker account; CME starts once a full license is issued. (source · New physicians and residents)
- Alternate compliance
- Board certification or recertification in the prior 36 months (good for one registration), current ABMS MOC or AOA OCC, or residency or fellowship covers the hour totals and ethics. It doesn't cover human trafficking, and opioid coverage depends on your board. (source · Exemptions)
- Carry forward
- Up to 48 excess credits can move to the next registration period only. Ethics, pain/opioid and human trafficking credits can't be carried forward (22 TAC §161.35(c)). (source · Carry-forward)
- CME exemption
- A written exemption for catastrophic illness, military service of more than 1 year outside Texas, residence of more than 1 year outside the US, or good cause, requested through CE Broker at least 30 days before renewal. (source)
- CE Broker
- The CE tracking platform TMB requires for renewals on or after September 1, 2026. TMB says the free Basic account is enough, and online renewal stays blocked until your status shows Complete. (source · CE Broker how-to)
- MyTMB
- TMB's online licensee portal. It's the only place to take the Life of the Mother Act course, which isn't reported in CE Broker for SB 31 compliance. (source · Life of the Mother Act guide)
- HHSC-approved course
- A human trafficking prevention course on the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's approved list. Only these courses meet the Texas human trafficking requirement. (source · Human trafficking CME)
- Retired, emeritus and voluntary charity care
- Statuses for physicians stepping back. Retired and emeritus are exempt from registration, fees and CME; for voluntary charity care, TMB and the rule text disagree on CME. Texas has no inactive status. (source · Retired status guide)
- PARS / CME Passport
- ACCME's reporting system and its learner transcript. Wolters Kluwer reports UpToDate credit there, which is separate from CE Broker, so Texas physicians still report each course in CE Broker. (source · UpToDate CME in Texas)
Glossary FAQ
What is the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 CME?
Category 1 credit is designated by accredited providers for certified activities and counts as formal CME in Texas. Category 2 is self-claimed learning, which in Texas fits only the informal category of up to 24 credits.
What counts as formal CME in Texas?
AMA PRA Category 1 credit from an ACCME-accredited sponsor or ACCME-recognized state society, AAFP Prescribed credit, AOA Category 1-A credit, or TMA-approved credit.
Does Texas accept AOA Category 1-A CME?
Yes. TMB counts AOA Category 1-A credit as formal CME.