Utah licenses physical therapists and PT assistants through the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) in the Department of Commerce. Utah licensure is not automatic after the NPTE: you apply once FSBPT releases your official score. Everything below comes from the board's own pages and rules, checked October 18, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the linked pages before you pay.
Check with your board. PT Ticket is a study aid, not clinical or legal guidance. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), CAPTE, the PT Compact Commission or any state board; NPTE and FSBPT are their marks, used here only to name the exam.
Utah at a glance
Physical therapist (PT)
PT assistant (PTA)
Exam
NPTE-PT (225 questions, 5 hours), $485 to FSBPT
NPTE-PTA (180 questions, 4 hours), $485 to FSBPT
Board fees
Shown on DOPL's application; check with DOPL
Same
Law exam
None on DOPL's exam information page
None
Background check
Fingerprint cards required (the top reason for delays or denials)
Same
Temporary license
Once you are registered with FSBPT for the exam
Same
PT Compact
Member, issuing and accepting privileges. A PT or PTA licensed in another member state can buy a Utah compact privilege instead of a full license, and a Utah license held where you live lets you buy privileges in the other member states. (PT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)
Utah, step by step
Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Physical Therapy
Register for the NPTE with FSBPT once you have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited school, or are within 90 days of graduating.
Apply to DOPL after your score: licensure is not automatic; submit the PT or PTA application once FSBPT releases your official passing score to Utah.
Fingerprints: missing fingerprint cards are DOPL's number one reason for delays and denials. If you use DOPL's own fingerprinting service, submit your application first, then book. If you use an outside agency, the original cards must arrive with the application or shortly after. A complete application typically takes 21 days.
Temporary license (optional): DOPL offers a temporary PT or PTA license for applicants who are registered with FSBPT for the exam.
Every state licenses physical therapists and PT assistants on the NPTE, with the same passing score everywhere (600 on a 200-800 scale): a CAPTE-accredited degree, your state board's application, then NPTE registration with FSBPT ($485 plus Prometric's sitting fee), which your board approves before FSBPT sends your Authorization to Test. The PT exam is 225 questions in 5 hours and the PTA exam 180 questions in 4 hours, both on fixed dates four times a year; you may test 3 times in 12 months and 6 times in a lifetime (FSBPT NPTE Candidate Handbook). The full walk-through: How to get your PT license.