Renewing your Texas medical license? Don't wait to complete new lawful presence verification requirement

If your Texas medical license expires August 31, now is the time to begin the renewal process.

The Texas Medical Board now requires physicians renewing their licenses to submit documentation verifying U.S. citizenship or lawful presence before they can access the online renewal system. The board advises physicians to allow at least 15 business days — approximately three calendar weeks — for the documentation to be processed, making it important to begin well before your license expiration date.

According to the TMB, renewal applications remain pending until the required documentation has been reviewed and approved. Physicians will not be able to access the online renewal system until that review is complete.

Because document review is performed manually, physicians are encouraged to submit their documentation as early as possible. Waiting until the final weeks before a license expires could delay access to the renewal system and increase the risk of an expired license.

The TMB accepts a variety of documents to verify lawful presence. You can consult the board's guidance to determine which documents are acceptable and whether additional documentation is required.

The board also notes that some forms of documentation — such as a valid U.S. passport or a birth certificate submitted with an unexpired driver's license or Texas License to Carry — may exempt a physician from reverification at future renewals. Other forms of documentation may require reverification. 

Complete information about the lawful presence verification requirement, including acceptable documentation, submission instructions, and frequently asked questions, is available on the Texas Medical Board's website: Texas Medical Board: Lawful Presence Verification Requirement.