And the docs keep coming!!!

It is still amazing every year when the numbers come out of the physician applications received and the number of physicians licensed.

Way back in the day when our numbers began to climb we were exhausted! Not only did the number of applications increase but the Physician in Training rules went into affect and it was holy hell!

Well, the numbers have not slowed down, neither have the physicians coming to Texas to train. And when you add in all the other license types that have been relocated to the Texas Medical Board you have a licensing pandemic – sorry, but it fits.

The number one question we receive, “Why does it take so long?”. It is not the the process is difficult unless you have a difficult history, it’s just too many applications and too few people – it’s that simple.

So, if you see Texas in your future apply early, follow the process and get your license now before we close the borders – only kidding!!

Oh, and the numbers. FY18 4,514 new licenses. FY19 4,839 new licenses.

Texas Medical Board Assists with Covid-19 by Issuing Emergency Licenses.

The Texas Medical Board issued guidelines for the issuing of emergency licenses for physician applicants. There are two types of emergency licenses that have been developed. The first physician license type allows for hospital to hospital credentialing. The second physician license type is an emergency license that allows an applicant, who is supervised by a licensed Texas physician, to gain a license for 30 days or until the end of the Governor’s emergency declaration.

I have pasted into this post the information on the two license types, but you can easily find these on the Texas Medical Board’s website www.tmb.state.tx.us

COVID-19 Disaster Licensing for Out-of-State Providers

Pursuant to Title 22, Chapter 172.20 and 172.21 of the Texas Administrative Code, the Texas Medical Board will allow out-of-state physicians to obtain a Texas limited emergency license or hospital-to-hospital credentialing for no more than thirty (30) days from the date the physician is licensed or until the disaster declaration has been withdrawn or ended, whichever is longer.  Other types of out of state health care professionals regulated by TMB may also receive a temporary license under these rules.


Hospital-to-Hospital Credentialing

A physician who holds a full, unlimited and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another U.S. state, territory or district and has unrestricted hospital credentials and privileges in any U.S. state, territory or district may practice medicine at a hospital that is licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission upon the following terms and conditions being met:

    (A) the licensed Texas hospital shall verify all physician credentials and privileges;

    (B) the licensed Texas hospital shall keep a list of all physicians coming to practice and shall provide this list to the Board within ten (10) days of each physician starting practice at the licensed Texas hospital; and

    (C) the licensed Texas hospital shall also provide the Board a list of when each physician has stopped practicing medicine in Texas under this section within ten (10) days after each physician has stopped practicing medicine under this section.


Hospitals can e-mail the required provider information to: [email protected]

Limited Emergency License

A practitioner who holds a full, unlimited and unrestricted license to practice in another U.S. state, territory or district may qualify for a limited emergency license upon the following conditions being met:

    (A) the Texas sponsoring physician must complete a limited emergency license application; and

    (B) the Board shall verify that the practitioner holds a full, unlimited and unrestricted license to practice in another U.S. state, territory or district.

(c) The Board may limit the sponsored practitioner’s practice locale and scope of practice.

(d) The Texas sponsoring physician shall be considered the supervising physician for the sponsored practitioner.

(e) The Board shall have jurisdiction over all practitioners practicing under this subchapter for all purposes set forth in or related to Texas Occupations Code, and all other applicable state and federal laws, and such jurisdiction shall continue in effect even after any and all practitioners have stopped practicing under this section related to providing medical services in Texas during the disaster or emergency.

(f) A practitioner license issued under this subchapter shall be valid for no more than thirty (30) days from the date the practitioner is licensed or until the emergency or disaster declaration has been withdrawn or ended, whichever is longer.

(g) Practitioners holding limited emergency licenses under this subchapter shall not receive any compensation outside of their usual compensation for the provision of medical services during a disaster or emergency.

Required Forms to Be Filled Out By Texas Sponsoring Physician:

Physician Emergency Visiting Practitioner Temporary Permit

Mid-Levels – Emergency Visiting Practitioner Temporary Permit

To expedite processing, please e-mail the completed form and any supporting documents to: [email protected]

Texas Medical Board – Mental Health Questions

The Texas Medical Board’s May 2019 bulletin begins with a article from the board’s President addressing the mental health questions that appear on the board’s different licensure applications. Way back in the day the board staff sought guidance from universities, those versed in the American with Disabilities Act and other state medical boards in formatting the mental health questions. Those questions have come under review again after the Federation of State Medical Boards urged their member boards to soften these probing questions. I found it refreshing for the board’s President to reinforce the board’s purpose – public protection. At Garanflo and Meyer we are acutely aware of the stigma that some may believe will be applied if they respond with “yes” to any of the mental health questions, but we work very hard to help applicants understand the reason behind these questions, how the review process will proceed and how the board staff is respectful in their handling of all mental health statements and records.

file:///C:/Users/G&M-Denise/Downloads/Bulletin-2019-May%20(1).pdf

I believe that this article on mental health, the mental health questions and the history of those questions will be most useful. Denise Meyer

Texas Medical Board Launching New Physician Application

Board staff during this past week’s Licensure Committee announced that a new physician licensure application will appear in March 2014.  The new application, although longer, will hopefully rid applicants of the confusion they encounter with the current application questions.  Also, staff announced that the Federation of State Medical Board’s common application will find a home on the TMB website.

Texas Legislature Repeals Service Requirement for Non-US Citizen Physicians

 The Texas Legislature repealed the requirement that non US citizens had to work in Medically Underserved Areas or Health Professions Shortage Areas.  Senator Jane Nelson who sponsored the requirement in 2011 led the charge to repeal the law.  This is a huge gain for those physicians interested in practicing medicine in Texas by not limiting their access to job opportunities.  The repeal went into effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature which occurred on June 14, 2013.