1. (1) An applicant for licensure as an occupational therapist shall:

   1. (a) submit an application in a form the division approves;
   2. (b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
   3. (c) graduate with a bachelor's or graduate degree for the practice of occupational therapy from an education program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, a predecessor organization, or an equivalent organization as determined by division rule;
   4. (d) if applying for licensure on or after July 1, 2015, complete a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork experience;
   5. (e) pass an examination approved by the division in consultation with the board and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, or by another nationally recognized credentialing body as approved by division rule, to demonstrate knowledge of the practice, skills, theory, and professional ethics related to occupational therapy; and

   6. (f)

      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)(f)(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.

2. (2) An applicant for licensure as an occupational therapy assistant shall:

   1. (a) submit an application in a form the division approves;
   2. (b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
   3. (c) graduate from an educational program for the practice of occupational therapy as an occupational therapy assistant that is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, a predecessor organization, or an equivalent organization as determined by division rule;
   4. (d) if applying for licensure on or after July 1, 2015, complete a minimum of 16 weeks of supervised fieldwork experience;
   5. (e) pass an examination approved by the division in consultation with the board and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, or by another nationally recognized credentialing body as approved by division rule, to demonstrate knowledge of the practice, skills, theory, and professional ethics related to occupational therapy; and

   6. (f)

      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)(f)(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.

3. (3) Notwithstanding the other requirements of this section, the division may issue a license as an occupational therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant to an applicant who:

   1. (a) consents to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-42a-302 and any requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and

   2. (b)

      1. (i) meets the requirements of receiving a license by endorsement under Section 58-1-302; or
      2. (ii) has been licensed in a state, district, or territory of the United States, or in a foreign country, where the education, experience, or examination requirements are not substantially equal to the requirements of this state, if the applicant passes the applicable examination described in Subsection (1)(e) or (2)(e).

Amended by Chapter 443, 2025 General Session