The PT License Process in Utah

How do you get your PT license in Utah? It's worth researching since the median salary for a physical therapist in the state is $81.2k per year, with some making as much as $127.7k. Moreover, demand for physical therapists in Utah is projected to grow 31.2% from 2020 to 2030, with 170 PT job openings annually. And since we're in the business of helping physical therapists grow their practice, we're sharing how to become licensed in The Beehive State. Here are the basic steps:

Step 1: Earn your Physical Therapy degree

Step 2: Apply for a license through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

Step 3: Pass the required exams for Utah

Step 4: Maintain and renew your license

Let's get started!

Step 1: Earn your Physical Therapy degree

To become a licensed Physical Therapist in Utah, you must obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited school. Schools must be accredited through CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.) As of this writing, the current list of accredited schools in Utah are: 

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, South Provo, UT
• University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Before enrolling in a DPT program, you must first earn a bachelor's degree, ideally with a major in health sciences. A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program typically takes three to four years to complete.

Step 2: Apply for a license through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) oversees the licensing and regulation of physical therapy professionals. License applications are done online via the Utah eGov web portal. If you're new to the site, you must create a new account. Note that a social security number is required to proceed. Once your account registration is complete, you may proceed to fill out your physical therapy license application online.

In addition to a completed application, DOPL also requires your official school transcript and a fingerprint submission for a background check. More detailed information for these requirements is available in your online application. 

Step 3: Pass the required exams for Utah

Passing grades are required on two exams to become a licensed physical therapist in Utah. They are the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and the Utah Physical Therapy Law and Rule Exam. 

National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)

To practice as a PT in Utah, you will need to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE.) This exam is offered through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT.) The NPTE exam is a multiple-choice test consisting of 250 questions. One of the best ways to prepare for the NPTE is by taking a practice exam. When you're ready to take the official exam, take note of the NPTE eligibility requirements as well as the key dates and deadlines. You may register and pay online for the test via FSBPT's Customer Dashboard. 

Once you've registered for the exam, you'll receive an emailed Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from FSBPT (which is also available online on your Customer Dashboard.) Your ATT letter will direct you to contact Prometric to schedule a time to sit for the exam. 

Utah Physical Therapist Law and Rule Exam

A passing grade on this exam is mandatory for all who apply for a physical therapist license in Utah. This take-home test helps ensure that applicants understand the latest laws and regulations in the state. To prepare for the exam, review the applicable laws and rules which are available on the "LAWS & RULES" section of the DOPL Physical Therapy page.

Step 4: Maintain and renew your license

Your physical therapy license expires on May 31 of odd years. You'll receive a renewal notification via mail approximately 60 days before expiration. The mailed notice explains how to renew your license online, so be sure to keep your address updated on the eGov site.

During every license renewal cycle, PTs must complete at least 40 Continuing Education (CE) hours. At least two of the total number of CE hours must be in topics relating to ethics or law. 

These are the main steps required for obtaining and keeping your physical therapy license in Utah. For additional support, we recommend you contact APTA Utah, the state chapter of The American Physical Therapy Association. The organization is an excellent resource for all PTs in the state. From all of us at Luna, we wish you the best of luck. And remember – we're always hiring and would love for you to join our team.