Healthcare Providers Scope of Practice Amendments

New technology reviews for healthcare practitioners

Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah creates a review process for technology that could expand what licensed healthcare practitioners can do. Lawmakers and representatives of healthcare employers, practitioner training schools, or professional groups can request reviews using an approved form. Qualifying technology must offer potential improvements in patient access, health outcomes, or healthcare costs. Technology used only to give advice or treatment without practitioner–patient interaction is excluded. The Office of Professional Licensure Review decides whether to proceed, notifies legislative committee chairs, and gives reasons for declining requests. Reviews include an advisory group selected with the relevant licensing board, including at least two practitioners from the affected occupation. At least one must be board-approved. The office weighs evidence, safety, access, affordability, patient risks, training, interest in adoption, use elsewhere, and any criteria set by rule. If it recommends a change, it presents a preliminary report to the Business and Labor Interim Committee. The committee can recommend legislation, licensing rules, or other action; the office then publishes a final report including committee recommendations. Annual reports due October 1 must list every review request and completed review. The law adds no funding and does not itself expand practitioners’ authority or change household healthcare costs.