The Texas Medical Board (TMB) is a state agency that regulates the practice of medicine by doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors (DOs) in Texas.
Practicing medicine in Texas is “a privilege and not a natural right of individuals,” according to the Texas Medical Practice Act. A person in Texas therefore may not practice medicine without a license.
The Texas Medical Board interviews candidates seeking a medical license, issues and revokes licenses, and considers disciplinary matters.
By law, the board has the power to make rules about physician advertising, rules about patient records, and rules governing the practice of medicine.
Structure and Organization
The board consists of 19 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Twelve members are physicians, including nine doctors of medicine and three doctors of osteopathic medicine. Seven other members are considered representatives of the public.
Each member holds a six-year term. The board typically meets five times a year. Additionally, the board has several committees that meet separately. These include:
- Disciplinary Process Review Committee;
- Executive Committee;
- Finance Committee;
- Licensure Committee.
The board employs an executive director and agency staff of 217.
The agency’s staff are organized into three divisions – Licensure, Enforcement, and Administration – which in turn consist of several departments, including Registrations, Licensing, Enforcement, Investigations, Compliance, Litigation, and IT.
TMB staff also support several other regulatory agencies, including the State Board of Acupuncture Examiners, the Physician Assistant Board, the Board of Medical Radiologic Technology, and the Board of Respiratory Care.
History
The state medical board used to be called the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. The earliest medical regulatory body in Texas dates to the founding of the Republic. In 1837, the Congress of the Texas Republic created a Board of Medical Censors.
Through the years, the board has grown in size from 11 members to 19 members today.
Address and Contact
- Headquarters: 333 Guadalupe St, Tower 3, Suite 610, Austin, TX 78701 (map)
- Mailing Address: PO Box 2018, Austin, TX 78768-2018
- Website: https://www.tmb.state.tx.us/
- Email: verifcic@tmb.state.tx.us (customer service)
- Phone: 512-305-7010 (main) | 512-305-7030 (customer service)
Recent News Coverage
Texas Issues Record Number of Physician Licenses Amid Pressure on Health Workforce, September 7, 2021
Texas Medical Board Orders Austin Chiropractor Not to Market Himself as MD, June 26, 2020
Texas Medical Board: Hydroxychloroquine Not Prohibited – Just Claiming It’s a ‘Cure’ , August 21, 2020
Texas Medical Board Threatens Action Against Doctor Retweeted by Trump Claiming COVID-19 “Cure”, July 31, 2020
This article is part of Texapedia, the Encyclopedia of Texas Government. Information in this online encyclopedia is drawn from credible sources, including state laws, agency publications, reference books, historical works, and the Texas Constitution.
