1. (1) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist shall:

   1. (a) complete the application process, including payment of fees;
   2. (b) submit proof of graduation from a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;

   3. (c) pass a licensing examination:

      1. (i) after complying with Subsection (1)(b); or
      2. (ii) if the applicant is in the final term of a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;
   4. (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;

   5. (e)

      1. (i) consent to, and complete, a criminal background check, described in Section 58-1-301.5;
      2. (ii) meet any other standard related to the criminal background check described in Subsection (1)(e)(i), that the division establishes by rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
      3. (iii) disclose any criminal history the division requests on a form the division approves; and
   6. (f) meet any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

2. (2) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist assistant shall:

   1. (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;
   2. (b) submit proof of graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;

   3. (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:

      1. (i) after the applicant complies with Subsection (2)(b); or
      2. (ii) if the applicant is in the final term of a physical therapist assistant education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency;
   4. (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;

   5. (e)

      1. (i) consent to, and complete, a criminal background check, described in Section 58-1-301.5;
      2. (ii) meet any other standard related to the criminal background check described in Subsection (2)(e)(i), that the division establishes by rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
      3. (iii) disclose any criminal history the division requests on a form the division approves; and
   6. (f) meet any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

3. (3) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who is educated outside of the United States shall:

   1. (a) complete the application process, including payment of fees;

   2. (b)

      1. (i) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant graduated from a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency; or

      2. (ii)

         1. (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;
         2. (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
         3. (C) pass a credential evaluation to ensure that the applicant has satisfied uniform educational requirements;
   3. (c) after complying with Subsection (3)(b), pass a licensing examination;
   4. (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;

   5. (e)

      1. (i) consent to, and complete, a criminal background check, described in Section 58-1-301.5;
      2. (ii) meet any other standard related to the criminal background check described in Subsection (3)(e)(i), that the division establishes by rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
      3. (iii) disclose any criminal history the division requests on a form the division approves; and
   6. (f) meet any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

4. (4) The division shall issue a license to an individual 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 individual:

   1. (a) completes the application process, including payment of fees;
   2. (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;

   3. (c)

      1. (i) consents to, and completes, a criminal background check, described in Section 58-1-301.5;
      2. (ii) meets any other standard related to the criminal background check described in Subsection (4)(c)(i), that the division establishes by rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
      3. (iii) discloses any criminal history the division requests on a form the division approves; and
   4. (d) meets any other requirements established by the division, by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

5. (5)

   1. (a) Notwithstanding Subsection 58-1-307(1)(c), an individual may not engage in an internship in physical therapy, unless the individual is:

      1. (i) certified by the division; or
      2. (ii) exempt from licensure under Section 58-24b-304.
   2. (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 443, 2025 General Session