2023 Utah Code › Title 58 - Occupations and Professions › Chapter 24b - Physical Therapy Practice Act › Part 3 - Licensing › Section 302 - Licensure.

Effective 5/12/2020
58-24b-302.
Licensure.
(1) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist shall:
(a) complete the application process, including payment of fees;
(b) submit proof of graduation from a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;
(c) pass a licensing examination:
(i) after complying with Subsection (1)(b); or
(ii) if the applicant is in the final term of a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;
(d) be able to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in the English language and demonstrate proficiency to the satisfaction of the board if requested by the board;
(e) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-24b-302.1 and any requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(f) meet any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(2) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist assistant shall:
(a) complete the application process, including payment of fees set by the division, in accordance with Section 63J-1-504, to recover the costs of administering the licensing requirements relating to physical therapist assistants;
(b) submit proof of graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;
(c) pass a licensing examination approved by division rule made in collaboration with the board and in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act:
(i) after the applicant complies with Subsection (2)(b); or
(ii) if the applicant is in the final term of a physical therapist assistant education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;
(d) be able to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in the English language and demonstrate proficiency to the satisfaction of the board if requested by the board;
(e) submit to, and pass, a criminal background check, in accordance with Section 58-24b-302.1 and standards established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(f) meet any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(3) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who is educated outside of the United States shall:
(a) complete the application process, including payment of fees;
(b)
(i) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant graduated from a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency; or
(ii)
(A) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant graduated from a physical therapist education program that prepares the applicant to engage in the practice of physical therapy, without restriction;
(B) provide satisfactory evidence that the education program described in Subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A) is recognized by the government entity responsible for recognizing a physical therapist education program in the country where the program is located; and
(C) pass a credential evaluation to ensure that the applicant has satisfied uniform educational requirements;
(c) after complying with Subsection (3)(b), pass a licensing examination;
(d) be able to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in the English language and demonstrate proficiency to the satisfaction of the board if requested by the board;
(e) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-24b-302.1 and any requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(f) meet any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(4) The division shall issue a license to a person who holds a current unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a state, district, or territory of the United States of America, other than Utah, if the person:
(a) completes the application process, including payment of fees;
(b) is able to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in the English language and demonstrate proficiency to the satisfaction of the board if requested by the board;
(c) consents to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-24b-302.1 and any requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(d) meets any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(5)
(a) Notwithstanding Subsection 58-1-307(1)(c), an individual may not engage in an internship in physical therapy, unless the person is:
(i) certified by the division; or
(ii) exempt from licensure under Section 58-24b-304.
(b) The provisions of Subsection (5)(a) apply, regardless of whether the individual is participating in the supervised clinical training program for the purpose of becoming a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.
Amended by Chapter 339, 2020 General Session