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Chapter 61
Psychologist Licensing Act
Part 1
General Provisions
58-61-101 Title.
This chapter is known as the "Psychologist Licensing Act."
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
58-61-102 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102, as used in this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the Behavioral Health Board created in Section 58-60-102.5.
(2) "Client" or "patient" means an individual who consults or is examined or interviewed by a
psychologist acting in his professional capacity.
(3) "Confidential communication" means information, including information obtained by the
psychologist's examination of the client or patient, which is:
(a)
(i) transmitted between the client or patient and a psychologist in the course of that relationship;
or
(ii) transmitted among the client or patient, the psychologist, and individuals who are
participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the psychologist, including
members of the client's or patient's family; and
(b) made in confidence, for the diagnosis or treatment of the client or patient by the psychologist,
and by a means not intended to be disclosed to third persons other than those individuals:
(i) present to further the interest of the client or patient in the consultation, examination, or
interview;
(ii) reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communications; or
(iii) participating in the diagnosis and treatment of the client or patient under the direction of the
psychologist.
(4) "Hypnosis" means, regarding individuals exempted from licensure under this chapter, a process
by which one individual induces or assists another individual into a hypnotic state without the
use of drugs or other substances and for the purpose of increasing motivation or to assist the
individual to alter lifestyles or habits.
(5) "Individual" means a natural person.
(6) "Mental health therapist" means an individual licensed under this title as a:
(a) physician and surgeon, or osteopathic physician engaged in the practice of mental health
therapy;
(b) an advanced practice registered nurse, specializing in psychiatric mental health nursing;
(c) an advanced practice registered nurse intern, specializing in psychiatric mental health
nursing;
(d) psychologist qualified to engage in the practice of mental health therapy;
(e) a certified psychology resident qualifying to engage in the practice of mental health therapy;
(f) clinical social worker;
(g) certified social worker;
(h) marriage and family therapist;
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(i) an associate marriage and family therapist;
(j) a clinical mental health counselor; or
(k) an associate clinical mental health counselor.
(7) "Mental illness" means a mental or emotional condition defined in an approved diagnostic and
statistical manual for mental disorders generally recognized in the professions of mental health
therapy listed under Subsection (6).
(8) "Practice of mental health therapy" means the treatment or prevention of mental illness,
whether in person or remotely, including:
(a) conducting a professional evaluation of an individual's condition of mental health, mental
illness, or emotional disorder;
(b) establishing a diagnosis in accordance with established written standards generally
recognized in the professions of mental health therapy listed under Subsection (6);
(c) prescribing a plan for the prevention or treatment of a condition of mental illness or emotional
disorder; and
(d) engaging in the conduct of professional intervention, including psychotherapy by the
application of established methods and procedures generally recognized in the professions of
mental health therapy listed under Subsection (6).
(9)
(a) "Practice of psychology" includes:
(i) the practice of mental health therapy by means of observation, description, evaluation,
interpretation, intervention, and treatment to effect modification of human behavior by the
application of generally recognized professional psychological principles, methods, and
procedures for the purpose of preventing, treating, or eliminating mental or emotional illness
or dysfunction, the symptoms of any of these, or maladaptive behavior;
(ii) the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, or modification of human behavior
by the application of generally recognized professional principles, methods, or procedures
requiring the education, training, and clinical experience of a psychologist, for the purpose
of assessing, diagnosing, preventing, or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired
behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal
effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health;
(iii) psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as
intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning;
(iv) counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, and
behavior analysis and therapy;
(v) diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders of disability, alcoholism and
substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, and the psychological aspects of physical
illness, accident, injury, or disability; and
(vi) psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation.
(b) An individual practicing psychology may provide services to individuals, couples, families,
groups of individuals, members of the public, and individuals or groups within organizations or
institutions.
(10) "Remotely" means communicating via Internet, telephone, or other electronic means that
facilitate real-time audio or visual interaction between individuals when they are not physically
present in the same room at the same time.
(11) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-61-501.
(12) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-61-502, and may be
further defined by division rule.
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Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
Part 3
Licensing
58-61-301 Licensure required -- Certifications.
(1)
(a) A license is required to engage in the practice of psychology, except as specifically provided
in Section 58-1-307.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 58-1-307(1)(c) an individual shall be certified
under this chapter as a psychology resident in order to engage in a residency program of
supervised clinical training necessary to meet licensing requirements as a psychologist under
this chapter.
(2) The division shall issue to an individual who qualifies under this chapter:
(a) a license in the classification of:
(i) psychologist;
(ii) certified psychology resident; and
(iii) licensed school psychological practitioner; and
(b) a certification in the classification of:
(i) certified prescribing psychologist; and
(ii) provisional prescribing psychologist.
Amended by Chapter 228, 2024 General Session
Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
58-61-302 Term of license.
(1)
(a) The division shall issue each license under this chapter in accordance with a two-year
renewal cycle established by division rule.
(b) The division may by rule extend or shorten a renewal cycle by as much as one year to
stagger the renewal cycles it administers.
(2) At the time of renewal the licensee shall show satisfactory evidence of renewal requirements as
required under this chapter.
(3) Each license expires on the expiration date shown on the license unless renewed by the
licensee in accordance with Section 58-1-308.
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
58-61-304 Qualifications for licensure by examination or endorsement.
(1) An applicant for licensure as a psychologist based upon education, clinical training, and
examination shall:
(a) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) produce certified transcripts of credit verifying satisfactory completion of a doctoral degree in
psychology that includes specific core course work established by division rule under Section
58-1-203, from an institution of higher education whose doctoral program, at the time the
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applicant received the doctoral degree, met approval criteria established by division rule
made in consultation with the board;
(d) have completed a minimum of 4,000 hours of psychology training as defined by division rule
under Section 58-1-203 under the supervision of a psychologist supervisor approved by the
division in collaboration with the board;
(e) to be qualified to engage in mental health therapy, document successful completion of
not less than 1,000 hours of supervised training in mental health therapy obtained after
completion of a master's level of education in psychology, which training may be included as
part of the 4,000 hours of training required in Subsection (1)(d), and for which documented
evidence demonstrates not less than one hour of supervision for each 40 hours of supervised
training was obtained under the direct supervision of a psychologist, as defined by rule;
(f) pass the examination requirement established by division rule under Section 58-1-203;
(g) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-61-304.1 and any
requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(h) meet with the board, upon request for good cause, for the purpose of evaluating the
applicant's qualifications for licensure.
(2) An applicant for licensure as a psychologist by endorsement based upon licensure in another
jurisdiction shall:
(a) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) not have any disciplinary action pending or in effect against the applicant's psychologist
license in any jurisdiction;
(d) have passed the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination established by division rule;
(e) provide satisfactory evidence the applicant is currently licensed in another state, district,
or territory of the United States, or in any other jurisdiction approved by the division in
collaboration with the board;
(f) provide satisfactory evidence the applicant has actively practiced psychology in that
jurisdiction for not less than 2,000 hours or one year, whichever is greater;
(g) provide satisfactory evidence that:
(i) the education, supervised experience, examination, and all other requirements for licensure
in that jurisdiction at the time the applicant obtained licensure were substantially equivalent
to the licensure requirements for a psychologist in Utah at the time the applicant obtained
licensure in the other jurisdiction; or
(ii) the applicant is:
(A) a current holder of Board Certified Specialist status in good standing from the American
Board of Professional Psychology;
(B) currently credentialed as a health service provider in psychology by the National Register
of Health Service Providers in Psychology; or
(C) currently holds a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) granted by the
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards;
(h) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-61-304.1 and any
requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(i) meet with the board, upon request for good cause, for the purpose of evaluating the
applicant's qualifications for licensure.
(3)
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(a) An applicant for certification as a psychology resident shall comply with the provisions of
Subsections (1)(a), (b), (c), (g), and (h).
(b)
(i) An individual's certification as a psychology resident is limited to the period of time necessary
to complete clinical training as described in Subsections (1)(d) and (e) and extends not
more than one year from the date the minimum requirement for training is completed, unless
the individual presents satisfactory evidence to the division and the board that the individual
is making reasonable progress toward passing the qualifying examination or is otherwise on
a course reasonably expected to lead to licensure as a psychologist.
(ii) The period of time under Subsection (3)(b)(i) may not exceed two years past the date the
minimum supervised clinical training requirement has been completed.
(4) An applicant for certification as a certified prescribing psychologist based upon education,
clinical training, and examination shall:
(a) have authority to engage in the practice of psychology under Subsection 58-61-301;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) demonstrate by official transcript, or other official evidence satisfactory to the division, that the
applicant:
(i) has completed a doctoral degree in psychology that includes specific core course work
established by division rule under Section 58-1-203, from an institution of higher education
whose doctoral program, at the time the applicant received the doctoral degree, met
approval criteria established by division rule made in consultation with the board;
(ii) has completed a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology from an institution of
higher learning whose master's program, at the time the applicant received the master's
degree, included at least 30 credit hours of didactics coursework over no less than four
semesters, met approval criteria established by division rule made in consultation with the
board and includes the following core areas of instruction:
(A) neuroscience, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, physiology, and pathophysiology;
(B) appropriate and relevant physical and laboratory assessment;
(C) basic sciences, including general biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology,
human anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry, and genetics, as part of or prior to
enrollment in a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology; and
(D) any other areas of instruction determined necessary by the division, in collaboration with
the board, as established by division rule; and
(iii) has completed postdoctoral supervised training, as defined by division rule made in
consultation with the board, in prescribing psychology under the direction of a licensed
physician, including:
(A) not less than 4,000 hours of supervised clinical training throughout a period of at least two
years; and
(B) for an applicant for a prescription certificate who specializes in the psychological care of
children 17 years old or younger, persons 65 years old or older, or persons with comorbid
medical conditions, at least one year prescribing psychotropic medications to those
populations, as certified by the applicant's supervising licensed physician;
(d) have passed:
(i) the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists developed by the Association of
State and Provincial Psychology Boards, or its successor organization; or
(ii) an equivalent examination as defined by the division in rule;
(e) not have any disciplinary action pending or in effect against the applicant's psychologist
license or other professional license authorizing the applicant to prescribe in any jurisdiction;
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(f) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-61-304.1 and any
requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act;
(g) commit to maintaining professional liability insurance while acting as a certified prescribing
psychologist; and
(h) meet with the board, upon request for good cause, for the purpose of evaluating the
applicant's qualifications for licensure.
(5) An applicant for certification as a certified prescribing psychologist by endorsement based upon
licensure in another jurisdiction shall:
(a) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) not have any disciplinary action pending or in effect against the applicant's psychologist
license or other professional license authorizing the applicant to prescribe in any jurisdiction;
(d) have passed the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination established by division rule;
(e) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant is currently licensed as a prescribing
psychologist in another state, district, or territory of the United States, or in any other
jurisdiction approved by the division in collaboration with the board;
(f) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant has actively practiced as a prescribing
psychologist in that jurisdiction for not less than 4,000 hours or two years, whichever is
greater;
(g) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant has satisfied the education, supervised
experience, examination, and all other requirements for licensure as a prescribing
psychologist in that jurisdiction at the time the applicant obtained licensure were substantially
equivalent to the licensure requirements for a certified prescribing psychologist in Utah at the
time the applicant obtained licensure in the other jurisdiction;
(h) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-61-304.1 and any
requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act;
(i) commit to maintaining professional liability insurance while acting as a certified prescribing
psychologist; and
(j) meet with the board, upon request for good cause, for the purpose of evaluating the
applicant's qualifications for licensure.
(6) An applicant for certification as a provisional prescribing psychologist shall:
(a) have authority to engage in the practice of psychology under Section 58-61-301;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) demonstrate by official transcript, or other official evidence satisfactory to the division, that the
applicant:
(i) has completed a doctoral degree in psychology that includes specific core course work
established by division rule under Section 58-1-203, from an institution of higher education
whose doctoral program, at the time the applicant received the doctoral degree, met
approval criteria established by division rule made in consultation with the board; and
(ii) has completed a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology from an institution of
higher learning whose master's program, at the time the applicant received the master's
degree, met approval criteria established by division rule made in consultation with the
board and includes the following core areas of instruction:
(A) neuroscience, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, physiology, and pathophysiology;
(B) appropriate and relevant physical and laboratory assessment;
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(C) basic sciences, including general biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology,
human anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry, and genetics, as part of or prior to
enrollment in a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology; and
(D) any other areas of instruction determined necessary by the division, in collaboration with
the board, as established by division rule;
(d) have no disciplinary action pending or in effect against the applicant's psychologist license or
other professional license authorizing the applicant to prescribe in any jurisdiction;
(e) consent to a criminal background check in accordance with Section 58-61-304.1 and any
requirements established by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act;
(f) commit to maintaining professional liability insurance while acting as a provisional prescribing
psychologist;
(g) meet with the board, upon request for good cause, for the purpose of evaluating the
applicant's qualifications for licensure; and
(h) satisfy any further requirements, as established by the division in rule.
(7) An applicant for licensure as a licensed school psychological practitioner shall:
(a) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) produce certified transcripts of credit verifying satisfactory completion of a master's degree or
equivalent certification program approved by the division that:
(i) consists of at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in school psychology at an
accredited institution; and
(ii) includes training in at least the following topics:
(A) understanding the organization, administration, and operation of schools, the major roles
of personnel employed in schools, and curriculum development;
(B) directing psychological and psycho-educational assessments and intervention
2-118including all areas of exceptionality;
(C) individual and group intervention and remediation techniques, including consulting,
behavioral methods, counseling, and primary prevention;
(D) understanding the ethical and professional practice and legal issues related to 2-122the
work of school psychologists;
(E) social psychology, including interpersonal relations, communications, and consultation
with students, parents, and professional personnel;
(F) coordination and work with community-school relations and multicultural education
programs and assessments; and
(G) the use and evaluation of tests and measurements, developmental psychology, affective
and cognitive processes, social and biological bases of behavior, personality, and
psychopathology;
(d) provide evidence demonstrating that the applicant has:
(i) completed a one school year internship, or the equivalent, with a minimum of 1,200 clock
hours in school psychology, at least 600 hours of which shall be in a school setting or a
setting with an educational component; and
(ii) completed at least five years of successful experience as a school psychologist in the state;
and
(e) provide a recommendation from:
(i) the institution that the applicant attended under Subsection (4)(c); and
(ii) one or more local education agencies, as defined in Section 53E-1-102, that employed the
applicant as a school psychologist for the period described in Subsection (4)(d)(ii).
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Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
58-61-304.1 Criminal background check.
(1) An applicant for licensure under this chapter who requires a criminal background check shall:
(a) submit fingerprint cards in a form acceptable to the division at the time the license application
is filed; and
(b) consent to a fingerprint background check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the use of the FBI Rap Back System,
regarding the application and the applicant's future status as a license holder.
(2) The division shall:
(a) in addition to other fees authorized by this chapter, collect from each applicant submitting
fingerprints in accordance with this section the fee that the Bureau of Criminal Identification is
authorized to collect for the services provided under Section 53-10-108 and the fee charged
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for fingerprint processing for the purpose of obtaining
federal criminal history record information;
(b) submit from each applicant the fingerprint card and the fees described in Subsection (2)(a) to
the Bureau of Criminal Identification; and
(c) obtain and retain in division records a signed waiver approved by the Bureau of Criminal
Identification in accordance with Section 53-10-108 for each applicant.
(3) The Bureau of Criminal Identification shall, in accordance with the requirements of Section
53-10-108:
(a) check the fingerprints submitted under Subsection (2)(b) against the applicable state and
regional criminal records databases;
(b) forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history
background check; and
(c) provide the results from the state, regional, and nationwide criminal history background
checks to the division.
(4) The division may not disseminate outside of the division any criminal history record information
that the division obtains from the Bureau of Criminal Identification or the Federal Bureau of
Investigation under the criminal background check requirements of this section.
Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
58-61-305 Qualifications for admission to examination.
All applicants for admission to any examination qualifying an individual for licensure under this
chapter shall:
(1) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(2) pay the fee established for the examination; and
(3) certify under penalty of perjury as evidenced by notarized signature on the application for
admission to the examination that the applicant:
(a) has completed the education requirement under this chapter and been awarded the earned
degree required for licensure; and
(b) has successfully completed the supervised training required under this chapter for licensure.
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
58-61-306 Continuing education.
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By rule made under Section 58-1-203, the division may establish a continuing education
requirement as a condition for renewal of a license under this chapter upon finding continuing
education is necessary to reasonably protect the public health, safety, or welfare.
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
58-61-307 Exemptions from licensure.
(1) Except as modified in Section 58-61-301, the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307
apply to this chapter.
(2) In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307, the following when practicing
within the scope of the license held, may engage in acts included within the definition of
practice as a psychologist, subject to the stated circumstances and limitations, without being
licensed under this chapter:
(a) a physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician licensed under Chapter 67, Utah Medical
Practice Act, or Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act;
(b) a registered psychiatric mental health nurse specialist licensed under Chapter 31b, Nurse
Practice Act;
(c) a recognized member of the clergy while functioning in his ministerial capacity as long as he
does not represent himself as or use the title of psychologist;
(d) an individual who is offering expert testimony in any proceeding before a court, administrative
hearing, deposition upon the order of any court or other body having power to order the
deposition, or proceedings before any master, referee, or alternative dispute resolution
provider;
(e) an individual engaged in performing hypnosis who is not licensed under this title in a
profession which includes hypnosis in its scope of practice, and who:
(i)
(A) induces a hypnotic state in a client for the purpose of increasing motivation or altering
lifestyles or habits, such as eating or smoking, through hypnosis;
(B) consults with a client to determine current motivation and behavior patterns;
(C) prepares the client to enter hypnotic states by explaining how hypnosis works and what
the client will experience;
(D) tests clients to determine degrees of suggestibility;
(E) applies hypnotic techniques based on interpretation of consultation results and analysis of
client's motivation and behavior patterns; and
(F) trains clients in self-hypnosis conditioning;
(ii) may not:
(A) engage in the practice of mental health therapy;
(B) represent himself using the title of a license classification in Subsection 58-60-102(5); or
(C) use hypnosis with or treat a medical, psychological, or dental condition defined in
generally recognized diagnostic and statistical manuals of medical, psychological, or
dental disorders;
(f) an individual's exemption from licensure under Subsection 58-1-307(1)(b) terminates when the
student's training is no longer supervised by qualified faculty or staff and the activities are no
longer a defined part of the degree program;
(g) an individual holding an earned doctoral degree in psychology who is employed by an
accredited institution of higher education and who conducts research and teaches in that
individual's professional field, but only if the individual does not engage in providing delivery
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or supervision of professional services regulated under this chapter to individuals or groups
regardless of whether there is compensation for the services;
(h) any individual who was employed as a psychologist by a state, county, or municipal agency
or other political subdivision of the state prior to July 1, 1981, and who subsequently has
maintained employment as a psychologist in the same state, county, or municipal agency
or other political subdivision while engaged in the performance of his official duties for that
agency or political subdivision;
(i) an individual licensed as a school psychologist under Section 53E-6-201:
(i) may represent himself as and use the terms "school psychologist" or "licensed school
psychologist"; and
(ii) is restricted in his practice to employment within settings authorized by the State Board of
Education;
(j) an individual providing advice or counsel to another individual in a setting of their association
as friends or relatives and in a nonprofessional and noncommercial relationship, if there is no
compensation paid for the advice or counsel; and
(k) an individual who is licensed, in good standing, to practice mental health therapy in a state or
territory of the United States outside of Utah may provide short term transitional mental health
therapy remotely to a client in Utah only if:
(i) the individual is present in the state or territory where the individual is licensed to practice
mental health therapy;
(ii) the client relocates to Utah;
(iii) the client is a client of the individual immediately before the client relocates to Utah;
(iv) the individual provides the short term transitional mental health therapy to the client only
during the 45 day period beginning on the day on which the client relocates to Utah;
(v) within 10 days after the day on which the client relocates to Utah, the individual provides
written notice to the division of the individual's intent to provide short term transitional mental
health therapy remotely to the client; and
(vi) the individual does not engage in unlawful conduct or unprofessional conduct.
Amended by Chapter 415, 2018 General Session
58-61-308 Scope of practice -- Limitations.
(1)
(a) Subject to Subsections (1)(b) through (f), an individual licensed as a psychologist may
engage in all acts and practices defined as the practice of psychology without supervision, in
private and independent practice, or as an employee of another person, limited only by the
licensee's education, training, and competence.
(b) Only a certified prescribing psychologist or provisional prescribing psychologist may
prescribe, administer, and discontinue selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and other
medications approved under Subsection (1)(c), recognized in or customarily used in the
diagnosis, treatment, and management of individuals with psychiatric, mental, cognitive,
nervous, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders, including:
(i) laboratory tests;
(ii) diagnostic examinations; and
(iii) procedures that are:
(A) necessary to obtain laboratory tests or diagnostic examinations;
(B) relevant to the practice of psychology; and
(C) in accordance with division rule made in consultation with the board.
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(c)
(i) The division may, by rule made in consultation with the Physicians Licensing Board created
in Section 58-67-201, approve medications other than selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors for prescribing by certified prescribing psychologists or provisional prescribing
psychologists.
(ii) If the division approves a medication under Subsection (1)(c)(i), the division shall
notify the Health and Human Services Interim Committee of the approval within 14 days
after the day on which the medication is approved.
(d)
(i) A certified prescribing psychologist may only prescribe psychotropic medication for a patient
if the certified prescribing psychologist:
(A) identifies a health care practitioner currently overseeing the patient's general medical
care; and
(B) establishes and maintains a collaborative relationship with that health care practitioner.
(ii) When prescribing a psychotropic medication for a patient, a certified prescribing
psychologist shall establish and maintain a collaborative relationship with a health care
practitioner who oversees the patient's general medical care to ensure that:
(A) necessary medical examinations are conducted;
(B) the psychotropic medication is appropriate for the patient's medical condition; and
(C) significant changes in the patient's medical or psychological conditions are discussed.
(iii) A health care practitioner under Subsections (1)(c)(i) and (ii) shall be:
(A) a physician licensed under Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Chapter 68, Utah
Osteopathic Medical Practice Act; or
(B) a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, as defined in Section 58-1-111.
(e) A certified prescribing psychologist and provisional prescribing psychologist may not
prescribe or administer:
(i) narcotics; or
(ii) controlled substances.
(f) The division, in consultation with the board and the Physicians Licensing Board created
in Section 58-67-201, may make rules further defining this section's limitations relating to
prescribing psychology, allowable medications, and collaborative relationship requirements.
(2) An individual certified as a psychology resident may engage in all acts and practices defined
as the practice of psychology only under conditions of employment as a psychology resident
and under the supervision of a licensed psychologist who is an approved psychology training
supervisor as defined by division rule. A certified psychology resident shall not engage in the
independent practice of psychology.
(3)
(a) An individual licensed as a licensed school psychological practitioner may provide services
outside of a school setting if the services are:
(i) provided in accordance with the most recent professional standards adopted by the National
Association of School Psychologists; and
(ii) related to:
(A) academic, behavioral, and mental health support;
(B) academic evaluation, assessment, and data analysis; or
(C) consultation with educators or families.
(b) An individual licensed as a licensed school psychological practitioner may not engage
in diagnosing, the practice of mental health therapy, psychological evaluation,
neuropsychological assessment, or neuropsychological evaluation.
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Amended by Chapter 228, 2024 General Session
Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
Part 4
License Denial and Discipline
58-61-401 Grounds for action regarding license -- Disciplinary proceedings.
(1) Subject to Subsection (2), the division's grounds for refusing to issue a license to an applicant,
for refusing to renew the license of a licensee, for revoking, suspending, restricting, or placing
on probation the license of a licensee, for issuing a public or private reprimand to a licensee,
and for issuing a cease and desist order are under Section 58-1-401.
(2) The division may not refuse, revoke, suspend, or in any way restrict an applicant or licensee's
license under this chapter solely because the applicant or licensee seeks or participates in
mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Amended by Chapter 404, 2021 General Session
Part 5
Unlawful and Unprofessional Conduct - Penalties
58-61-501 Unlawful conduct.
As used in this chapter, "unlawful conduct" includes:
(1) practice of psychology unless licensed as a psychologist or certified psychology resident under
this chapter or exempted from licensure under this title;
(2) practice of mental health therapy by a licensed psychologist who has not acceptably
documented to the division his completion of the supervised training in psychotherapy required
under Subsection 58-61-304(1)(e); or
(3) representing oneself as or using the title of psychologist, or certified psychology resident unless
currently licensed under this chapter.
Amended by Chapter 339, 2020 General Session
58-61-502 Unprofessional conduct.
(1) As used in this chapter, "unprofessional conduct" includes:
(a) using or employing the services of any individual to assist a licensee in any manner not in
accordance with the generally recognized practices, standards, or ethics of the profession for
which the individual is licensed, or the laws of the state;
(b) failure to confine practice conduct to those acts or practices:
(i) in which the individual is competent by education, training, and experience within limits of
education, training, and experience; and
(ii) which are within applicable scope of practice laws of this chapter;
(c) disclosing or refusing to disclose any confidential communication under Section 58-61-602;
(d) a pattern of failing to provide to patients in a mental health therapy setting:
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(i) information regarding the license holder, including the name under which the license holder
is licensed, the type of license held, the license number, and the license holder's contact
information;
(ii) if an individual's license requires the license holder to be supervised by another licensed
provider, information regarding the supervisor, including the name under which the
supervisor is licensed, the type of license held, the license number, and the supervisor's
contact information;
(iii) information regarding standards of appropriate care and ethical boundaries, including a
plain language statement that in a professional relationship with a mental health practitioner,
a dual relationship between a client and a provider, or one that is romantic, financially
motivated, sexual, or otherwise risks impacting the provider's judgment or the quality
of the services provided, is never appropriate and should be reported to the Division of
Professional Licensing;
(iv) unless the individual is under an order of temporary commitment or involuntary
commitment, information regarding the client's rights, including that the client has the right to
seek a second opinion, to ask for additional information, and to terminate treatment at any
time; or
(v) the contact information for the Division of Professional Licensing, including how to file a
complaint; and
(e) a pattern of failing to provide to patients, upon request:
(i) information about the license holder's qualifications and experience, including a listing of
any degrees, credentials, certifications, registrations, and licenses held or completed by the
license holder, the name of the granting school or institution, and the continuing education
that the licensee is required to complete in order to retain the license;
(ii) information regarding standards of appropriate care and ethical boundaries, including a copy
of the statutory and administrative rule definitions of unprofessional conduct, and a copy of
generally recognized professional or ethical standards;
(iii) for any course of treatment, the method of treatment recommended, the reasoning
supporting the method of treatment, the techniques used, the expected duration of the
treatment, if known, and the fee structure; or
(iv) information regarding the individuals who have or have had access to confidential
data related to the care of the patient, including evaluations, assessments, diagnoses,
prevention or treatment plans, reports, progress notes, discharge summaries, treatment,
or the documentation of treatment, including video recording, live stream, or in-person
observations of psychotherapy or other treatment methods.
(2) "Unprofessional conduct" under this chapter may be further defined by division rule.
Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
58-61-503 Penalty for unlawful conduct.
An individual who commits any act of unlawful conduct as defined in:
(1) Subsection 58-61-501(1) or (2) is guilty of a third degree felony; or
(2) Subsection 58-61-501(3) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
58-61-504 Reporting of unprofessional or unlawful conduct -- Immunity from liability.
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(1) Upon learning of an act of unlawful or unprofessional conduct as defined in Section 58-61-102
by a person licensed under this chapter or an individual not licensed under this chapter and
engaged in acts or practices regulated under this chapter, that results in disciplinary action
by a licensed health care facility, professional practice group, or professional society, or that
results in a significant adverse impact upon the public health, safety, or welfare, the following
shall report the conduct in writing to the division within 10 days after learning of the disciplinary
action or the conduct unless the individual or person knows it has been reported:
(a) a licensed health care facility or organization in which an individual licensed under this
chapter engages in practice;
(b) an individual licensed under this chapter; and
(c) a professional society or organization whose membership is comprised of individuals licensed
under this chapter and which has the authority to discipline or expel a member for acts of
unprofessional or unlawful conduct.
(2) Any individual reporting acts of unprofessional or unlawful conduct by an individual licensed
under this chapter is immune from liability arising out of the disclosure to the extent the
individual furnishes the information in good faith and without malice.
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
Part 6
Evidentiary Privilege and Confidentiality
58-61-601 Evidentiary privilege.
Evidentiary privilege for psychologists regarding admissibility of any confidential communication
in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings is in accordance with Rule 506 of the Utah Rules of
Evidence.
Enacted by Chapter 32, 1994 General Session
58-61-602 Confidentiality -- Exemptions.
(1) Notwithstanding Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act, a
psychologist under this chapter may not disclose any confidential communication with a client
or patient without the express written consent of:
(a) the client or patient;
(b) the parent or legal guardian of a minor client or patient; or
(c) a person authorized to consent to the disclosure of the confidential communication by the
client or patient in a written document:
(i) that is signed by the client or the patient; and
(ii) in which the client's or the patient's signature is reasonably verifiable.
(2) A psychologist under this chapter is not subject to Subsection (1) if:
(a) the psychologist is permitted or required by state or federal law, rule, regulation, or order to
report or disclose any confidential communication, including:
(i) reporting under Title 80, Chapter 2, Part 6, Child Abuse and Neglect Reports;
(ii) reporting under Title 80, Chapter 2, Part 6, Child Abuse and Neglect Reports;
(iii) reporting under Title 78B, Chapter 3, Part 5, Limitation of Therapist's Duty to Warn; or
(iv) reporting of a communicable disease as required under Section 26B-7-206;
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(b) the disclosure is part of an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding and is made under an
exemption from evidentiary privilege under Rule 506, Utah Rules of Evidence; or
(c) the disclosure is made under a generally recognized professional or ethical standard that
authorizes or requires the disclosure.
Amended by Chapter 329, 2023 General Session
Part 7
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act
58-61-701 Title.
This part is known as the "Behavior Analyst Licensing Act."
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-702 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in Section 58-61-102, as used in this part:
(1) "Confidential communication" means information obtained by an individual licensed or
registered under this part, including information obtained by the individual's observation of or
interview with the client, patient, or authorized agent, which is:
(a)
(i) transmitted between the client, patient, or authorized agent and an individual licensed or
registered under this part in the course of that relationship; or
(ii) transmitted among the client, patient, or authorized agent, an individual licensed or
registered under this part, and individuals who are participating in the assessment or
treatment in conjunction with an individual licensed or registered under this part, including
the authorized agent or members of the client's or patient's family; and
(b) made in confidence, for the assessment or treatment of the client or patient by the individual
who is licensed or registered under this part, and by a means not intended to be disclosed to
a third party other than an individual:
(i) present to further the interest of the client or patient in the consultation, assessment or
interview;
(ii) reasonably necessary for the transmission of the communications; or
(iii) participating in the assessment and treatment of the client or patient in conjunction with the
behavior analyst or behavior specialist.
(2) "Licensed assistant behavior analyst" means an individual licensed under this part to engage in
the practice of behavior analysis under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, as defined by
the division by administrative rule.
(3) "Licensed behavior analyst" means an individual licensed under this part to engage in the
practice of behavior analysis.
(4)
(a) "Practice of behavior analysis" means the design and evaluation of instructional and
environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior
and includes the following:
(i) the empirical identification of functional relations between behavior and environmental
factors, known as functional assessment and analysis;
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(ii) interventions based on scientific research and the direct observation and measurement of
behavior and environment; and
(iii) utilization of contextual factors, motivating operations, antecedent stimuli, positive
reinforcement, and other consequences to help people develop new behaviors, increase or
decrease existing behaviors, and emit behaviors under specific environmental conditions.
(b) "Practice of behavior analysis" does not include:
(i) diagnosis of a mental or physical disorder;
(ii) psychological testing;
(iii) educational testing;
(iv) neuropsychology;
(v) neuropsychological testing;
(vi) mental health therapy;
(vii) psychotherapy;
(viii) counseling;
(ix) biofeedback;
(x) neurofeedback;
(xi) cognitive therapy;
(xii) sex therapy;
(xiii) psychoanalysis; or
(xiv) hypnotherapy.
(5) "Registered assistant behavior specialist" means an individual who:
(a) is employed:
(i) as a professional engaging in the practice of behavior analysis within an organization
contracted under a division of the Utah Department of Human Services;
(ii) to provide behavior analysis; and
(iii) on or before May 15, 2015;
(b) limits the practice of behavior analysis to the contract described in Subsection (5)(a)(i); and
(c) is registered under this part with the division to engage in the practice of behavior analysis
under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, as defined by the division by administrative
rule.
(6) "Registered behavior specialist" means an individual who:
(a) is employed:
(i) as a professional engaging in the practice of behavior analysis within an organization
contracted under a division of the Utah Department of Human Services to provide behavior
analysis; and
(ii) on or before May 15, 2015;
(b) limits the practice of behavior analysis to the contract described in Subsection (6)(a)(i); and
(c) is registered under this part with the division to engage in the practice of behavior analysis.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-703 License or registration required.
(1) A license or registration is required to engage in the practice of behavior analysis, except as
specifically provided in Section 58-1-307.
(2) The division shall issue to a person who qualifies under this part a license in the classification
of:
(a) behavior analyst; or
(b) assistant behavior analyst.
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(3) The division shall issue to a person who qualifies under this part a registration in the
classification of:
(a) behavior specialist; or
(b) assistant behavior specialist.
(4) An individual shall be licensed or registered under this part or exempted from licensure under
this part in order to engage in, or represent that the individual is engaged in, the practice of
behavior analysis.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-704 Term of license or registration.
(1)
(a) The division shall issue each license under this part with a two-year renewal cycle established
by division rule.
(b) The division may by rule extend or shorten a renewal cycle by as much as one year to
stagger the renewal cycles it administers.
(2) At the time of renewal, the licensed individual shall show satisfactory evidence of renewal
requirements as required under this part.
(3) Each license or registration expires on the expiration date shown on the license unless
renewed by the licensed individual in accordance with Section 58-1-308.
(4)
(a) A registration as a registered behavior specialist or a registered assistant behavior specialist:
(i) expires on the day the individual is no longer employed in accordance with Subsection
58-61-705(5)(d) or (6)(d); and
(ii) may not be renewed.
(b) The Department of Health and Human Services, or an organization contracted with a division
of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall notify the Division of Professional
Licensing when a person registered under this part is no longer employed as a registered
behavior specialist or a registered assistant behavior specialist.
Amended by Chapter 329, 2023 General Session
58-61-705 Qualifications for licensure -- By examination -- By certification.
(1) An applicant for licensure as a behavior analyst based upon education, supervised experience,
and national examination shall:
(a)
(i) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(ii) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(iii) produce certified transcripts of credit verifying satisfactory completion of a master's or
doctoral degree in applied behavior analysis from an accredited institution of higher
education or an equivalent master or doctorate degree as determined by the division by
administrative rule;
(iv) as defined by the division by administrative rule, have completed at least 1,500 hours
of experiential behavior analysis training within a five year period of time with a qualified
supervisor; and
(v) pass the examination requirement established by division rule under Section 58-1-203; or
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(b) document proof of current certification in good standing as a Board Certified Behavior
Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or an equivalence of that certification, as
determined by division rule made in consultation with the board.
(2) An applicant for licensure as an assistant behavior analyst based upon education, supervised
experience, and national examination shall:
(a)
(i) submit an application on a form provided by the division;
(ii) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(iii) produce certified transcripts of credit verifying satisfactory completion of a bachelor's
degree from an accredited institution of higher education and satisfactory completion of
specific core course work in behavior analysis established under Section 58-1-203 from an
accredited institution of higher education;
(iv) as defined by the division by administrative rule, have completed at least 1,000 hours
of experiential behavior analysis training within a five-year period of time with a qualified
supervisor; and
(v) pass the examination requirement established by division rule under Section 58-1-203; or
(b) document proof of current certification in good standing as a Board Certified Assistant
Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or an equivalence of that
certification, as determined by division rule made in consultation with the board.
(3) An applicant for registration as a behavior specialist based upon professional experience in
behavior analysis shall:
(a) without exception, on or before November 15, 2015, submit to the division, an application on
a form provided by the division;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) have at least five years of experience as a professional engaged in the practice of behavior
analysis on or before May 15, 2015; and
(d) be employed as a professional engaging in the practice of behavior analysis within an
organization contracted with a division of the Utah Department of Human Services to provide
behavior analysis on or before July 1, 2015.
(4) An applicant for registration as an assistant behavior specialist based upon professional
experience in behavior analysis shall:
(a) without exception, on or before November 15, 2015, submit to the division, an application on
a form provided by the division;
(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
(c) have at least one year of experience as a professional engaging in the practice of behavior
analysis prior to July 1, 2015; and
(d) be employed as a professional engaging in the practice of behavior analysis within an
organization contracted with a division of the Utah Department of Human Services to provide
behavior analysis on or before July 1, 2015.
Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session
58-61-706 Continuing education.
(1) The division may establish administrative rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act, requiring continuing education as a condition for renewal of any
license classification or maintaining a registration classification under this part if the division
finds that continuing education is necessary to reasonably protect the public health, safety, or
welfare.
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(2) If a renewal cycle is extended or shortened under Section 58-61-704, the continuing education
hours required for license renewal or maintaining a registration under this part shall be
increased or decreased proportionally.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-707 Exemptions from licensure.
In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307, the following when practicing
within the scope of the license held, may engage in acts included in the definition of the practice of
behavior analysis, subject to the stated circumstances and limitations, without being licensed under
this chapter:
(1) a psychologist licensed under this chapter, and those acting under the psychologist's authority
and direction;
(2) a registered behavior specialist under this part;
(3) a registered assistant behavior specialist under this part;
(4) a mental health therapist licensed under Chapter 60, Mental Health Professional Practice Act;
(5) a behavior analyst who practices with non-human or non-patient clients or consumers, including
applied animal behaviorists;
(6) an individual who provides general behavior analysis services to an organization, if the practice
of behavior analysis is for the benefit of the organization and does not involve the practice of
behavior analysis on an individual;
(7) an individual who teaches behavior analysis or conducts behavior analysis research, provided
that the individual does not practice behavior analysis on an individual as part of the teaching or
research;
(8) an employee of a school district, private school, or charter school who:
(a) practices behavior analysis as part of the employee's job description with the school district,
private school, or charter school; and
(b) limits the employee's practice to the employment settings authorized by the:
(i) State Board of Education, if the employee is employed by a public school or charter school;
or
(ii) private school employer, if the employee is employed by a private school;
(9) a matriculated graduate student in:
(a) a mental health field whose activities are part of a defined program of study or professional
training; or
(b) education or applied behavior analysis whose activities are part of a defined program of study
or professional training;
(10) a person:
(a) who is enrolled in a behavior analysis course sequence approved by the Behavior Analyst
Certification Board at an accredited institution of higher education;
(b) whose activities are part of a defined program of study or professional training; and
(c) who is actively accruing supervision hours as defined by division rule under Section 58-1-203
and under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst;
(11) a person who:
(a) has completed and passed a course sequence approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification
Board; and
(b) is completing the supervision hours as defined by division rule under Section 58-1-203 and
under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or other supervisor as permitted by rule
adopted by the division;
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(12) a person who:
(a) has completed and passed the course sequence approved by the Behavior Analyst
Certification Board;
(b) has completed the supervision hours as defined by division rule under Section 58-1-203;
(c) continues working under the supervision of a behavior analyst; and
(d) is preparing to take the licensing examination or awaiting results of the licensing examination,
provided the exemption under this Subsection (12)(d) does not extend beyond six months
from the latter of Subsection (12)(b) or (c);
(13) until November 15, 2015, a person who:
(a) has completed and passed the Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Board Certified Assistant
Behavior Analyst Examination developed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board; and
(b) is in the process of applying for a license under this part;
(14) an individual providing advice or counsel to another individual in a setting of the individual's
association as friends or relatives and in a nonprofessional and noncommercial relationship, if
there is no compensation paid for the advice or counsel; or
(15) an individual exempt under Subsection 58-1-307(1)(b) only if the individual is supervised by
qualified faculty or staff and the activities are a defined part of the degree program.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-708 License and registration denial and discipline.
The division's grounds for refusing to issue a license or registration to an applicant, for refusing
to renew the license of a licensed individual or registration of a registered individual, for revoking,
suspending, restricting, or placing on probation the license of a licensed individual or registration
of a registered individual, for issuing a public or private reprimand to a licensed individual or
registered individual, and for issuance of a cease and desist order are under Section 58-1-401.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-709 Unlawful conduct.
As used in this part, "unlawful conduct" includes:
(1) practice of behavior analysis unless licensed as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior
analyst under this part, registered as a behavior specialist or assistant behavior specialist, or
exempted from licensure or registration under this title; or
(2) representing oneself as or using the title of licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant
behavior analyst unless currently licensed under this part.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-710 Unprofessional conduct.
As used in this part, "unprofessional conduct" includes:
(1) using or employing the services of any individual to assist a licensed behavior analyst, licensed
assistant behavior analyst, registered behavior specialist, or registered assistant behavior
specialist in any manner not in accordance with the generally recognized practices, standards,
or ethics of the profession for which the individual is licensed or the laws of the state, including:
(a) acting as a supervisor or accepting supervision of a supervisor without complying with or
ensuring compliance with the requirements of administrative rule adopted by the division;
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(b) engaging in and aiding or abetting conduct or practices that are false, dishonest, deceptive, or
fraudulent;
(c) engaging in or aiding or abetting deceptive or fraudulent billing practices;
(d) failing to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a client or former
client;
(e) engaging in or promising a personal, scientific, professional, financial, or other relationship
with a client if it appears likely that such a relationship reasonably might impair the behavior
analyst's or registered behavior specialist's objectivity or might harm or exploit the client;
(f) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact with a client with or without client consent;
(g) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact with a former client within two years of
documented termination of services;
(h) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact at any time with a former client who is
especially vulnerable or susceptible to being disadvantaged because of the client's personal
history, current mental status, or any condition that could reasonably be expected to place the
client at a disadvantage, recognizing the power imbalance that exists or may exist between
the behavior analyst or registered behavior specialist and the client;
(i) engaging in or aiding or abetting sexual harassment or any conduct that is exploitive or
abusive with respect to a student, trainee, employee, or colleague with whom the licensee
has supervisory or management responsibility;
(j) exploiting a client for personal gain;
(k) using a professional client relationship to exploit a client or other person for personal gain;
(l) failing to maintain appropriate client records for a period of not less than seven years from the
documented termination of services to the client;
(m) failing to obtain informed consent from the client or legal guardian before taping, recording, or
permitting third party observations of client care or records;
(n) failing to cooperate with the division during an investigation;
(o) using the abbreviated title of LBA unless licensed in the state as a behavior analyst;
(p) using the abbreviated title of LaBA unless licensed in the state as an assistant behavior
analyst;
(q) failing to make reasonable efforts to notify a client and seek the transfer or referral of
services, according to the client's needs or preferences, when a behavior analyst anticipates
the interruption or termination of services to a client;
(r) failing to provide for orderly and appropriate resolution of responsibility for client care in the
event that the employment or contractual relationship ends, according to the client's needs
and preferences;
(s) failing to make reasonable steps to avoid abandoning a client who is still in need of services;
(t) failing to report conviction of a felony or misdemeanor directly relating to the practice of
behavior analysis or public health and safety;
(u) failing to report revocation or suspension of certification from the Behavior Analyst
Certification Board; and
(v) failure to confine practice conduct to those acts or practices in which the individual is
competent by education, training, and experience within limits of education, training, and
experience; and
(2) other conduct as further defined by administrative rule adopted by the division.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-711 Penalty for unlawful conduct.
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An individual who commits any act of unlawful conduct as defined in:
(1) Subsection 58-61-501(1) is guilty of a third degree felony; or
(2) Subsection 58-61-501(2) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-712 Reporting of unprofessional or unlawful conduct -- Immunity from liability.
(1) Upon learning of an act of unlawful or unprofessional conduct as defined in Section 58-61-102
by a person licensed or registered under this chapter or an individual not licensed or registered
under this chapter who engaged in acts or practices regulated under this chapter, which
results in disciplinary action by a licensed health care facility, professional practice group, or
professional society, or which results in a significant adverse impact upon the public health,
safety, or welfare, the following shall report the conduct in writing to the division within 10 days
after learning of the disciplinary action or the conduct, unless the individual or person knows it
has been reported:
(a) a licensed health care facility or an organization in which an individual licensed or registered
under this chapter engaged in practice;
(b) an individual licensed or registered under this chapter; or
(c) a professional society or organization whose membership individuals licensed or registered
under this chapter and that has the authority to discipline or expel a member for acts of
unprofessional conduct or unlawful conduct.
(2) Any individual who reports acts of unprofessional or unlawful conduct by an individual licensed
or registered under this chapter is immune from liability arising out of the disclosure to the
extent the individual furnishes the information in good faith and without malice.
Enacted by Chapter 367, 2015 General Session
58-61-713 Confidentiality -- Exemptions.
(1) A behavior analyst or behavior specialist under this chapter may not disclose any confidential
communication with a client or patient without the express written consent of:
(a) the client or patient;
(b) the parent or legal guardian of a minor client or patient; or
(c) a person authorized to consent to the disclosure of the confidential communication by the
client or patient in a written document:
(i) that is signed by the client or the patient; and
(ii) in which the client's or the patient's signature is reasonably verifiable.
(2) A behavior analyst or behavior specialist is not subject to Subsection (1) if:
(a) the behavior analyst or behavior specialist is permitted or required by state or federal law,
rule, regulation, or order to report or disclose any confidential communication, including:
(i) reporting under Title 26B, Chapter 6, Part 2, Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Vulnerable
Adult;
(ii) reporting under Title 80, Chapter 2, Part 6, Child Abuse and Neglect Reports;
(iii) reporting under Title 78B, Chapter 3, Part 5, Limitation of Therapist's Duty to Warn; or
(iv) reporting of a communicable disease as required under Section 26B-7-206;
(b) the disclosure is part of an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding and is made under an
exemption from evidentiary privilege under Utah Rules of Evidence, Rule 506; or
(c) the disclosure is made under a generally recognized professional or ethical standard that
authorizes or requires the disclosure.
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Amended by Chapter 329, 2023 General Session
58-61-714 Third party payment for licensed behavior analyst.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31A-22-618, payment from third party payers for
behavior analysis may be limited to:
(1) a licensed behavior analyst as defined in Section 58-61-702; and
(2) the following, working within the scope of their practice:
(a) a physician licensed under Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act or Chapter 68, Utah
Osteopathic Medical Practice Act;
(b) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act;
(c) a psychologist licensed under this chapter;
(d) a clinical social worker licensed under Chapter 60, Part 2, Social Worker Licensing Act;
(e) a marriage and family therapist licensed under Chapter 60, Part 3, Marriage and Family
Therapist Licensing Act; and
(f) a clinical mental health counselor licensed under Chapter 60, Part 4, Clinical Mental Health
Counselor Licensing Act.
Amended by Chapter 136, 2019 General Session