CE Broker Basic vs Professional: do Texas physicians need to pay?

What TMB actually requires

For renewals on or after September 1, 2026, you need an active CE Broker account with all of your CE reported. TMB accepts no other tracking platform, and you can't open TMB's online renewal until CE Broker shows your status as Complete. (TMB CE tracking)

TMB is clear that the free Basic account meets that requirement. Its FAQ #227 also warns that CE Broker's 7-day Professional trial asks for a credit card, so if you start a trial and don't want to pay, cancel it before it converts.

Do I need CE Broker Professional to renew in Texas?

No. TMB says the free Basic CE Broker account is enough to renew a Texas medical license. Professional starts at $39.99 a year and adds a dynamic transcript with remaining-requirements math; Pro+ is $89.99 and Concierge $124.99. None is required (TMB FAQ #227; CE Broker TX plans).

Pro+ ($89.99) and Concierge ($124.99) also exist; none is required by TMB. Prices checked October 16, 2026. TMB says phone support has been free for all TMB licensees since May 4, 2026. (CE Broker subscription options; TMB Quick FAQs)

The main thing you give up with Basic is the transcript that tells you what's still missing. That's the gap the free TexasCMELog tracker fills: it runs the same math against TMB's rules on your own device.

How to self-report a course in Basic

1. Log in and click Report CE.
2. Pick your Texas license if you hold more than one.
3. Choose the reporting category (see the list below).
4. Enter the details from your certificate.
5. Attach your certificate. Some options won't let you continue without one.
6. Attest and click Submit CE.
7. Repeat for each course, then check that your status shows Complete before you open TMB renewal.

These steps follow CE Broker's Report CE help article. Screens can differ by account, and CE Broker says the questions vary by board.

Which category to pick

CE Broker can't sort a course by its title, so the category you choose is what counts. The Texas physician options include:

• Formal Category 1 or 1A Hours: general Category 1 / 1-A credit
• Medical Ethics and/or Professional Responsibility
• Pain Management and the Prescription of Opioids
• Human Trafficking course approved by the HHSC
• Remaining Hours: formal or informal credit toward the 48
• Additional Options: attestations (not working in an ER setting, no direct patient care, residency, board certification, human trafficking completed in the prior 2 cycles)

We took these names from CE Broker's Texas page and help articles. Check the exact labels in your own account.

Field by field

TexasCMELog's copy cards list fields in this order: Date Completed → Course Type → Subject Area → Name of CE Activity → Approver Name → Educational Provider → Hours → Attachment. That order comes from a public walkthrough for a Texas license. We haven't confirmed it yet in a physician Basic account, so match each field by its label.

Shortcuts

• Single transcript. You can enter hours by subject area and attach one transcript instead of reporting course by course. Human trafficking still has to be reported on its own. (CE Broker single transcript)
• Provider reporting. Some providers report for you. TMA auto-reports TMA credits. Provider-reported courses can take up to 30 days to appear, so check your history before you enter one yourself, to avoid duplicates.
• Human trafficking from a past cycle. If it isn't due this time, still enter your most recent completion with its date, or file the prior-2-cycles attestation.

Common reasons for "Not Complete"

• The course went into the wrong category. For example, an opioid course reported as general hours won't satisfy the opioid requirement.
• A needed attestation is missing, such as not working in an ER setting or no direct patient care.
• Your Texas license still shows "pending verification", which can take up to 48 hours.
• You entered courses under another state's license; they don't carry over to Texas.

Point-of-care CME (UpToDate and similar)

If your transcript or certificate shows AMA PRA Category 1 credit, report it like any other formal course and attach the transcript. If you're unsure what category it is, check the certificate and ask the provider.

Where TexasCMELog fits

Basic gives you the reporting form. TexasCMELog adds what Basic leaves out: it works out what's missing for your cycle and gives you a copy card for each course. It has no account and keeps your log in your own browser. For the full walkthrough, see How to report CME in CE Broker. For the rules, see the Texas CME requirements guide.