Texas Medical Board & Legal Responsibilities — Complete Study Guide with
Rationales
1. How long do you have to report child abuse and neglect?
✅ Answer: 48 hours
Rationale:
Under Texas Family Code §261.101, any professional who suspects child abuse or neglect must
report it within 48 hours. The law prioritizes child safety and holds healthcare providers criminally
liable for delays.
2. How long do you have to issue a birth certificate?
✅ Answer: 5 days
Rationale:
Hospitals and birth attendants are required by Texas Health & Safety Code §192.003 to file a birth
certificate within five days of birth to ensure timely registration of vital records.
3. How long do you have to issue a death certificate?
✅ Answer: 10 days
Rationale:
According to Texas Health & Safety Code §193.002, physicians must complete the medical
certification for a death certificate no later than 10 days after the date of death.
4. How long do you have to report most communicable diseases?
✅ Answer: 7 days
Rationale:
Routine communicable diseases (e.g., influenza, varicella) must be reported to local health
departments within 7 days, per Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Part 1, §97.3.
5. How long do you have to report TB and pertussis?
✅ Answer: 1 day
Rationale:
High-risk and rapidly spreading diseases such as tuberculosis and pertussis require reporting
within 24 hours to initiate public health containment measures quickly.
6. How long do you have to supply medical records?
, ✅ Answer: 15 days
Rationale:
Per Texas Medical Practice Act §159.006, providers must furnish requested medical records within
15 business days to ensure continuity of care and patient access.
7. The Texas Medical Board (TMB) is composed of how many people and who?
✅ Answer: 19 total — 12 physicians (9 MDs, 3 DOs) and 7 public members
Rationale:
Composition ensures both professional and public oversight of physician conduct and licensing
per Texas Occupations Code §152.002.
8. Who appoints the TMB members and for how long?
✅ Answer: The Governor appoints them for 6-year terms
Rationale:
Appointments are made by the governor with Senate confirmation, ensuring staggered terms for
continuity and accountability in regulation.
9. Is non-compensated emergency care governed by the Texas Medical Practice Act?
✅ Answer: No — it’s covered under the Good Samaritan Law
Rationale:
The Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.151 protects those giving unpaid emergency aid
from liability unless gross negligence occurs.
10. Do laws covered by the MPA apply to nurses, podiatrists, optometrists, dentists,
etc.?
✅ Answer: No, only physicians licensed in Texas (MD or DO)
Rationale:
The Texas Medical Practice Act applies specifically to the practice of medicine; other professions
are governed by separate boards and statutes.
11. Licensure criteria:
✅ Answer:
60 college credits
MD or DO degree
Pass USMLE Steps 1-3 within 7 years + JP exam
Complete one-year internship
Rationale:
Rationales
1. How long do you have to report child abuse and neglect?
✅ Answer: 48 hours
Rationale:
Under Texas Family Code §261.101, any professional who suspects child abuse or neglect must
report it within 48 hours. The law prioritizes child safety and holds healthcare providers criminally
liable for delays.
2. How long do you have to issue a birth certificate?
✅ Answer: 5 days
Rationale:
Hospitals and birth attendants are required by Texas Health & Safety Code §192.003 to file a birth
certificate within five days of birth to ensure timely registration of vital records.
3. How long do you have to issue a death certificate?
✅ Answer: 10 days
Rationale:
According to Texas Health & Safety Code §193.002, physicians must complete the medical
certification for a death certificate no later than 10 days after the date of death.
4. How long do you have to report most communicable diseases?
✅ Answer: 7 days
Rationale:
Routine communicable diseases (e.g., influenza, varicella) must be reported to local health
departments within 7 days, per Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Part 1, §97.3.
5. How long do you have to report TB and pertussis?
✅ Answer: 1 day
Rationale:
High-risk and rapidly spreading diseases such as tuberculosis and pertussis require reporting
within 24 hours to initiate public health containment measures quickly.
6. How long do you have to supply medical records?
, ✅ Answer: 15 days
Rationale:
Per Texas Medical Practice Act §159.006, providers must furnish requested medical records within
15 business days to ensure continuity of care and patient access.
7. The Texas Medical Board (TMB) is composed of how many people and who?
✅ Answer: 19 total — 12 physicians (9 MDs, 3 DOs) and 7 public members
Rationale:
Composition ensures both professional and public oversight of physician conduct and licensing
per Texas Occupations Code §152.002.
8. Who appoints the TMB members and for how long?
✅ Answer: The Governor appoints them for 6-year terms
Rationale:
Appointments are made by the governor with Senate confirmation, ensuring staggered terms for
continuity and accountability in regulation.
9. Is non-compensated emergency care governed by the Texas Medical Practice Act?
✅ Answer: No — it’s covered under the Good Samaritan Law
Rationale:
The Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.151 protects those giving unpaid emergency aid
from liability unless gross negligence occurs.
10. Do laws covered by the MPA apply to nurses, podiatrists, optometrists, dentists,
etc.?
✅ Answer: No, only physicians licensed in Texas (MD or DO)
Rationale:
The Texas Medical Practice Act applies specifically to the practice of medicine; other professions
are governed by separate boards and statutes.
11. Licensure criteria:
✅ Answer:
60 college credits
MD or DO degree
Pass USMLE Steps 1-3 within 7 years + JP exam
Complete one-year internship
Rationale:
