Physical Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you are unable to obtain fingerprints at DOPL’s office, you must include two completed (2) blue fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) with your application.
Cards must have complete demographic information (all alias, age, hair/eye color, place of birth, etc.) and be signed by both the applicant and the individual who took the prints. Prints must be free from smudges and be rolled completely from nail bed to nail bed, and from the tip of the finger to below the first knuckle. Incomplete or low quality cards will be rejected, and may delay the issuance of your license.
Fingerprint cards can be mailed to the Division of Professional Licensing, State of Utah Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 146741, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741.
For the reporting/renewal period which ends December 31, 2018, the minimum CPE hour requirement set forth under Subsection R156-26a-303b(2)(a) shall be 120 hours. This includes all CPE hours completed and reported between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2018. Subsequent license cycles ending Dec 31 of even numbered years will require 80 CPE hours. A licensee who reinstates their license during a renewal cycle will be required to complete the minimum number of hours required for subsequent renewal - 120 for the December 31, 2018 renewal period and 80 hours for subsequent license cycles ending December 31 of even numbered years. There is no CPE requirement for a licensee at the first renewal following initial licensure.
No. In addition to courses sponsored by UPTA and APTA, courses may be approved by, or under the sponsorship of any of the following: accredited universities or colleges, or professional associations, societies, or organizations whose program objectives relate to the practice of physical therapy. See R156-24b-303b .
At least 2 hours of CE must be in ethics or law. Other courses may be in any subject that relates to the practice of physical therapy. See R156-24b-303b (2).
No. The required number of hours of continuing education for an individual who first becomes licensed during the two year period is decreased in a pro-rata amount equal to any part of that two-year period preceding the date on which that individual first became licensed. The same standard applies to PTAs. See R156-24b-303b (3).
Yes. Up to 10 hours of the CE requirement may be recognized for clinical reading or in-service directly related to physical therapy practice. Up to half the number of contact hours required may be completed in internet or distance related learning courses that include an examination and issuance of a certificate. Half the number of contact hours of the CE requirement may be completed by teaching in a college or university and teaching CE courses in the field of physical therapy. See R156-24b-303b (4).
You only need to submit records that verify completion of CE to DOPL if you are audited by DOPL. Otherwise, keep records that verify completion CE for at least 4 years after the close of the two year period to which the records pertain. See R156-24b-303b (6).