Provider primer

A title is not the same as a licence check

“Specialist” can be marketing language. A licence type is a public record.

NAME THE ROLE

Ask what kind of clinician is treating you

Doctor

A physician whose Texas record is held by the medical board.

Physician assistant

A licensed clinician whose Texas record is searched through the medical board system.

Nurse practitioner

A nurse with extra training beyond a registered nurse. The licence is searched through the nursing board.

Texas used different licensing boards for doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners as of September 2026.

CHECK THE RECORD

Match more than the spelling

Use the full name. Confirm the licence type. Compare locations if several records appear. If the record lists a public board action, such as a disciplinary order, read it in full.

A state medical-board record can show whether a doctor is licensed and whether public discipline appears in the file.

KEEP THE LIMIT

A clean search does not choose care for you

A licence check answers “Is this person in the state system?” It does not answer “Is this product right for me?” Keep both questions.