5 Steps to Take to Get Your Medical License in Texas

Every state medical board has its own rules and requirements for licensure. Unfortunately for physicians who want to practice medicine in Texas, the process for licensure in the Lone Star State is one of the most complicated in the entire country.

Data shows that by the year 2030, there will be a shortage of more than 20,000 physicians in Texas. While the licensure process is lengthy, tedious, and more complex than in other states, just knowing how the process works can make it a bit easier to tackle.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the many open physician positions that exist in Texas, here are the five key steps to take to get your medical license with the Texas Medical Board.

Graduate From Medical School

You cannot apply for a medical license unless you meet all of the eligibility requirements, and that starts with having graduated from an accredited medical college in the U.S. or Canada, or from an institution listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools.

If you did not graduate from a school approved by the TMB, you cannot practice medicine in the state.

Complete At Least One Year of Postgraduate Training

Applicants must also have a minimum of one year of residency training under their belt. This training must be at an institution recognized by the Accreditation College for Graduate Medical Education, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, or the Royal College of Physicians.

Foreign medical graduates must have two years of residency training in order to be eligible for licensure.

Pass Your Medical Exams

Passing the USMLE, FLEX, or comparable examination is a requirement, and you must pass all parts of your examinations in three attempts or less.

Submit an Application to the Texas Medical Board

Texas has a two-step application process, where applicants undergo a screening process before the licensing process can even begin.

To get the ball rolling, you’ll want to register with LIST, the Licensure Inquiry System of Texas. LIST is where you’ll fill out your application and upload all the required documentation needed to support it.

During the process, you’ll also have to consent to (and pass) a criminal background check. 

Check out this article from LeverageRx for more details on how to complete your application.

Complete the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Exam

Once your application is pending in the LIST system, you’ll need to take the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Exam, and you’ll need to pass with a score of 75 or better. This examination tests your knowledge of health and safety codes as well as professional activities regulated by the Texas Medical Board.

You can take the test as many times as needed to achieve a passing score.

Be Patient With the TMBThe Texas Medical Board is required to process all licenses within 51 days, which begins after you’ve passed the screening process and provided all of the required documentation. If you need to obtain your license in a hurry, there are some ways to qualify for expediting.

A license can be expedited if you:

• Agree to practice in an underserved area, rural area, or area with a large physician shortage
• Have been fully licensed and practicing in another state for five years and have no disciplinary history
• Are active in military service, are a military spouse, or are a veteran

Texas is part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, so if you already have a license from a participating compact state, you may apply for a Texas license through the IMLC rather than directly through the Texas Medical Board.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Medical License in Texas?

Not only does Texas make it more difficult than other states to obtain a license, they also charge more than most other states.

The initial application fee is $817, which is one of the highest in the entire country. And that’s not the only fee involved. You will also have to pay the following:

• An initial registration fee: is $282.42 for twelve months  
• The Jurisprudence Exam fee: is $34 per attempt
• Criminal background check: $100
• Fingerprinting through IdentoGO: $38.25

If you choose to submit your documents through the Federation Credentials Verification Service, you’ll also have to pay the FCVS fee of $395. Physicians planning to prescribe medication that requires a DEA license will incur an additional $888 fee every three years.

In Conclusion

The medical licensing process in Texas can be daunting, but it can be easier to get through if you know what challenges to expect ahead of time. And once you do get your license, don’t let it lapse. Remember to renew it every two years. Read more