The Notice of Intent to Review was published in the Texas Register on June 19, 2026 (51 TexReg 4017), as part of a combined notice with other rule chapters undergoing simultaneous review. The Department will determine whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these rules continue to exist by answering the following questions for each rule:

• Is it obsolete?
• Does it reflect current legal and policy considerations?
• Is it in alignment with the current procedures of the Department?

The Department encourages anyone interested in the Combative Sports rules under Chapter 61 to review the Notice of Intent to Review and the current rules posted on the Texas Administrative Code website.

Comments may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website at https://ga.tdlr.texas.gov:1443/form/gcerules (select the appropriate rule chapter name for your comment).

Deadline to submit comments—July 20, 2026.

Senate Bill 842 clarifies that a ringside physician is immune from civil liability arising from actions performed within their scope of practice at a combative sports event.

By safeguarding physicians from legal repercussions, this bill helps to ensure that physicians can continue to make rapid decisions in high pressure circumstances to prioritize and protect the safety of fighters. This new immunity does not apply to gross negligence of the physician.  

Any physician licensed to practice in Texas who is interested in becoming a ringside physician for combative sports events should fill out and send in a Ringside Physician Qualifications and Availability Form.

This online system will allow for quicker application processing times and the ability to make electronic payments.

After submitting a payment online, applicants will still need to email, fax, or mail in any required documents, including medical examination forms, medical records release authorizations, ophthalmologic medical examination forms, contestant drug testing consent forms and blood lab results.

Cost: $150 to $200, depending on number of classes selected.

May 18

• MMA Judging
• Boxing Judging

May 19

• MMA Referees
• Boxing Referees

Instructors

• Blake Grice – MMA Judge and Ref
• David Sutherland – Boxing Judge
• Russell Mora – Boxing Ref

Registration for all classes: https://www.abcboxing.com/product/texas-officials-training-may-2024/

Texas House Bill 1560, passed during the 87th Regular Legislative Session (2021), removed the license requirement for these functions. All existing Event Coordinator, Matchmaker, and Second licenses expired on September 1, 2021. TDLR will no longer accept new or renewal applications for these license types.

Although a license is no longer required for Combative Sports Seconds, anyone serving as a Second must still meet the requirements listed in 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 61.