Licensure.

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  • (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.




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