Texas Medical Board License: The Process & Everything You Need to Know
Texas Medical Board Physician License Application Synopsis:
If you are a physician looking to practice medicine in Texas you must obtain a full unrestricted medical license from the Texas Medical Board. If you don’t qualify for a full unrestricted medical license, you may qualify for a limited license or permit.
Apply for Texas medical license once you’ve reviewed the Texas medical license application list which includes information about eligibility, the application process, required documentation, fees etc.
The Texas medical license application is a two-step process (screening and licensing). The screening process requires all applicants to submit mandatory documents through the Licensure Inquiry System of Texas (LIST). Once all documents have been received, the application will be considered complete and the licensing step will begin. During the licensing stage, a licensure analyst will review and verify all submitted information. If there are errors or incomplete information, additional documents may be requested.
How Do I Get A Texas Medical Board License?
To obtain your medical license in the State of Texas, all applicants must check of all items included in the physician licensure eligibility checklist.
What Are The Texas Medical License Examination Requirements?
All applicants must meet all licensure by examination requirements:
Texas statute requires passage of a licensure examination such as the USMLE or COMLEX, both acceptable by the Board. A complete listing of acceptable exams is found in Board Rule §163.6 and can be viewed within the Board Rules.
The law also requires each applicant to pass each part of the examination within three attempts. Exceptions are only allowed for two groups of applicants. Those who:
- Group One– held, or had a pending application for, a Texas Physician in Training permit on 9/1/05
OR
- Group Two –have been licensed in good standing in another state for at least 5 years, and who have no restrictions, orders, or probation on any other state medical licenses
If you are in Groups 1 or 2, the exceptions are:
- a fourth attempt allowed on one part only,
OR
- a fifth or sixth attempt allowed on one part only, if you are Texas ABMS board certified or are a AOA member board with an additional two years of postgraduate medical training beyond what is required.
Timeframe for Passing All Examination Steps and Transcript Submission:
The time between the first step that was passed and the last step that was passed cannot exceed 7 calendar years. The following exceptions are allowed:
- The timeframe for passage of all parts of the examination may be extended to 10 years (only for ABMS or BOS specialty board certified physicians).
- The timeframe for passage of all parts of the examination may be extended to 10 years if you have practiced under a faculty temporary license issued by the board for at least 12 months.
- The timeframe for passage of all parts of the examination may be extended to two years after completion of the required postgraduate training (currently one year for US/Canadian graduates and 2 years for international medical graduates) if you are a graduate of a combined MD/PhD or DO/PhD program.
- The timeframe for passage of all parts of the examination may be extended to no more than 10 years after completion of the required postgraduate training (currently one year for US/Canadian graduates and 2 years for international medical graduates) if you are a graduate of a combined MD/PhD or DO/PhD program, and are either specialty board certified by an ABMS or BOS Board, or have practiced under an FTL for 12 months.
- Applicants who don’t meet the timeframe requirements may apply for a Medical License Limited to Underserved Areas.
To send your transcripts to the Texas Medical Board, you may use the FCVS services.
If using the FCVS service, all your exam scores (USMLE, FLEX, NBME, NBOME/COMLEX, LMCC or State Board examination etc.) will be included in the FCVS packet, so no separate transcripts are required.
If not using the FCVS services, you must contact all examination agencies (contact information included in links below) and request that a certified transcript of all examination attempts be sent directly to the Texas Medical Board.
*For State Board Examinations, contact the state medical board who administered the exam.
Texas Medical License Process:
As mentioned earlier, physicians must have a valid Texas medical license in order to practice medicine in the State of Texas. The Texas medical licensing board process is a “two-stage” process which includes pre-licensure and licensing.
To obtain a Texas state medical license, submit your application online. All applicants will receive an email with their LIST username and password the first working day after they apply. LIST will provide the list of supplemental forms or other items applicants are expected to submit or complete based on their application.
During pre-licensure the documents requested are based on the standard requirements for licensure and information provided with the application. Note: documents are not reviewed for content during pre-licensure and additional information may be required once an application has been moved to licensure.
During the licensing stage, your application will be assigned to a licensing analyst who will determine if the required documents were received. Continuously check LIST as your licensing analyst will post requests for additional items in the “lacking reasons” section. Items received/approved will show up with a green checkmark and received date. After all required items are received by your licensing analyst, your application will change from “in screen” to “in licensure”.
To submit additional items, it is recommended that applicants use a private overnight delivery service (with tracking), or mail items using the USPS. Items mailed must be addressed to the Texas medical board address (listed below) or they will be returned to the sender.
Private Overnight Delivery (Physical Address and Phone)
Texas Medical Board
PRC, MC-240
333 Guadalupe, Tower III, Suite 600
Austin, TX 78701
Phone – (512) 305-7030
For USPS (mailing address)
Texas Medical Board
PRC, MC-240
P.O. Box 2029
Austin, TX 78768-2029
Once all required documents are received, reviewed and approved by the members of the Board, your application status will change to “Application Complete”. Regular licenses are issued twice a month – be on the lookout within 2 weeks of being licensed, with registration instructions. You will have 90 days to register and activate your license – failure to register will result in penalty fees and after one year, license cancellation.
The Texas medical license application fee depends if you are completing an online application, a paper application or using the Uniform Application. The entire fee must be submitted before your application can be assigned and processed. There are also application related fees and registration fees all applicants are responsible for.
How Long Does It Take To Get Texas Medical License?
The entire process can take anywhere from 51+ days (from the time your application is received).
Applications may be completed online directly on the Texas Medical Board site, by requesting a paper application by emailing registrations@tmb.state.tx.us (an additional fee applies) OR by using the Uniform Application for Physician State Licensure.
For the full Texas Medical License FAQs, click here.
Visit the MASC Medical Medical License Guide for information on how to get your medical license in other states.