For decades, many Texas professionals managed their Continuing Education (CE) on an informal “honor system,” keeping a physical folder of paper certificates tucked away in case of a random audit. However, a major legislative shift is about to change the landscape for professional licensure in the Lone Star State forever.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 912, passed during the 89th Legislative Session, the State of Texas is transitioning to a mandatory digital tracking system. Starting September 1, 2026, many Texas licensees—including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners—will be required to verify their CE compliance through CE Broker (or their respective board portals) before they can renew their licenses.
What’s Changing? The End of Post-Renewal Audits
The most significant change is the move from “post-renewal audits” to “pre-renewal verification.” Historically, you could renew your license by simply checking a box stating you had completed your hours. You only had to prove those hours if you were selected for an audit months later.
Moving forward, the system is shifting to a hard-stop model. This means the renewal portal will not even allow you to submit your application or pay your fee unless the tracking system shows you are 100% compliant with all specific state requirements.
- Deadline: September 1, 2026.
- The Mandate: No digital verification = No renewal.
- The Platforms: The Texas Medical Board (TMB) has officially partnered with CE Broker as its exclusive verification system. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) will require similar uploads via the Texas Nurse Portal.
Who is Affected by the September Deadline?
While behavioral health professionals (LPCs, LCSWs, and Psychologists) already moved to this system earlier in 2026, the September 1, 2026 deadline is the major milestone for the largest healthcare boards:
- General Medical Radiologic Technologists (MRT, LMRT, NCT and RAs): Minimum 24 hours every 24 months (biennial renewal period)
- Physicians (MDs/DOs): All 48 required hours (24 formal, 24 informal) must be logged in CE Broker.
- Nurses (RNs/LVNs/APRNs): Completion certificates must be uploaded to the Texas Nurse Portal to prove the 20 required contact hours.
- Other TMB Practitioners: This includes Physician Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, and Acupuncturists.
3 Steps to Prepare Now
You do not have to wait until the fall of 2026 to get organized. In fact, boards are encouraging licensees to start today to avoid “renewal day” technical glitches.
1. Activate Your Free Account
CE Broker offers a “Basic” account that is free for all Texas licensees. While they offer paid “Professional” or “Concierge” tiers with extra tracking tools, the Free Basic account is all you need to satisfy the legal requirement for the State of Texas.
2. Audit Your Records Early
The actual number of hours required has not changed. However, your digital transcript must now be specific. If you have “Category 1” hours, they must be correctly labeled. If you have a specific requirement for “Medical Ethics,” it must be categorized as such in the system to “count” toward your 100% completion bar.
3. Monitor Automatic Reporting
Some providers, like the Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP), will automatically report your hours to CE Broker. However, the ultimate legal responsibility to ensure the transcript is “Complete” lies with you. Always log in 60 days before your expiration to check for gaps.
The Bottom Line
The transition to mandatory tracking via CE Broker is designed to reduce administrative fraud and streamline the verification process. While it adds a digital “to-do” item to your list, setting up your account now will prevent a last-minute crisis when your license expiration date rolls around in late 2026. Stay ahead of the curve—start your digital file today.
Click HERE for a CE Broker Transition Guide.
Need more help? CE Broker offers live support from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST. You can also reach out via their Help Center at help.cebroker.com.
