Texas Medical Board Now Requires Lawful Presence Documentation for License Renewal.
If your Texas Medical Board (TMB) license is due for renewal, there’s an important new requirement you need to know.
Beginning March 1, 2026, all individuals renewing a TMB-issued license or permit must submit documentation establishing lawful presence in the United States as part of the renewal process.
Who Does This Affect?
This requirement applies to all TMB licensees, including:
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Acupuncturists
- Medical Radiologic Technologists
- Limited Medical Radiologic Technologists
- Respiratory Care Practitioners
- Other TMB-issued permits and licenses
What You Need to Do
Before your license can be renewed, you must:
- Submit one of the acceptable lawful presence documents identified by the Texas Medical Board.
- Ensure the document is current and unexpired on the date your license is renewed.
- Complete this step before your renewal can be approved.
Renewal applications will remain pending until the required documentation has been received and verified.
Why Is This Required?
Federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1621) requires applicants receiving certain public benefits—including professional licenses issued by the Texas Medical Board—to provide documentation establishing lawful presence in the United States.
Temporary Extension for May 2026 Renewals
To allow additional time for processing this new requirement, the Texas Medical Board automatically extended licenses that were scheduled to expire May 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026 if the renewal had not yet been completed.
This was a one-time administrative adjustment and does not change future renewal dates. Licensees with a May 31 renewal date will continue to renew on that schedule in future cycles.
Helpful Resources
The Texas Medical Board provides additional information, including:
- How to submit lawful presence documentation
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- List of acceptable documents
- Renewal instructions by license type
If your license renewal is approaching, review the requirements early to help avoid delays in processing your renewal.
