Physical Therapist / Utah
2026 data Utah board official source

Utah Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Evaluates and treats movement disorders and injuries. Requires doctoral degree.

What the Utah data shows for Physical Therapists

Becoming a licensed physical therapist in Utah means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,284 training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Utah regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $153 to get started, plus $139 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For physical therapists, the reciprocity picture is: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
40/100
Physical Therapist · Utah

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,284 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$153
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$70/yr
$139 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Utah

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,284 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$153
Renewal Fee
$139
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Physical Therapist All Utah licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Utah licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Utah? ▼
In Utah, the license path calls for 3284 education/training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), and a $153 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Utah? ▼
Certification as a physical therapist in Utah means clearing the state's checklist: 3284 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Utah licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Utah from another state? ▼
Physical Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Utah licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Utah require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Utah does require a background check before issuing a physical therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Utah? ▼
Utah ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $139 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

Physical Therapist in Utah, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a physical therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Utah's physical therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Physical Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state physical therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Utah's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Utah overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Utah licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.