All Roll Calls
Yes: 182 • No: 15
UtahS.B. 312026 General SessionSenate
Office of Professional Licensure Review Amendments
Sponsored By: Evan J. Vickers (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BusinessHealth and Human ServicesLabor and EmploymentHealth Care ProfessionalsAcupuncturistsAthletic TrainersHearing Instrument SpecialistsNursesOccupational TherapistsPhysical TherapistsPhysician AssistantsRespiratory Care ProvidersSpeech-Language Pathologists and AudiologistsOccupational and Professional Licensing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
24 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 4 costs, 12 mixed.
Advanced nurses gain broader drug authority
Beginning May 6, 2026, advanced practice nurses with prescribing authority can prescribe and give drugs, including Schedule II–V controlled substances. Nurse anesthetists have separate drug authority under the law’s nurse-anesthesia requirements. Their practice includes anesthesia evaluation, induction, management, and follow-up. It also includes emergency airway care, advanced cardiac life support, and invasive-line placement.
Nurse anesthetists gain limited prescribing authority
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah certified registered nurse anesthetists can prescribe procedure-related medicine immediately before or after a procedure. This authority covers up to a five-day supply, including Schedule II–V controlled substances, but excludes ketamine. The procedure must take place in a health care facility, private physician office, or dental office. The nurse anesthetist must participate in the procedure and have established a patient record for the recipient.
Nurses and physician assistants gain surgery authority
Beginning May 6, 2026, advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants can perform minor surgical procedures. Physician assistants must stay within their skills and scope of competence. Both groups’ added minor-surgery authority ends July 1, 2028.
Nursing students gain an apprentice license
Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying Utah nursing students can get a registered nurse apprentice license. Their approved program must confirm good standing and placement in its last two semesters, quarters, or competency experiences. Applicants need the program’s written permission, a high school diploma or equivalent, and sufficient physical and mental health. Apprentices can perform nursing tasks set by state rule, consistent with recognized practice and preparation standards. They work under indirect supervision by specified licensed nurses or physicians.
Background checks for nursing license applicants
Beginning May 6, 2026, most Utah nursing license applicants must complete a criminal background check under state licensing rules. They must consent to the check and share requested criminal history. Applicants under Section 58-31b-301(2)(e) are exempt. Violent felony convictions or specified pleas trigger action under Section 58-1-401; other felonies require a decision about disqualification. This provision does not set a background-check fee.
Physical therapists gain equipment and imaging options
Beginning May 6, 2026, physical therapists can prescribe durable medical equipment without first seeking a physician’s prescription. Their work includes providing and teaching use of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, and prosthetic devices. They can order imaging beyond plain X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging, within their license and experience. They must name a physician to receive results, coordinate care, and make needed referrals, subject to the statutory exception. Dry needling includes improving physical performance, with required state training and separate trigger-point practice limits.
Occupational therapists gain equipment and staffing flexibility
Beginning May 6, 2026, occupational therapists can prescribe durable medical equipment and adaptive devices without first seeking a physician’s prescription. The law removes the staffing cap of two full-time assistants or four part-time assistants working no more than 40 combined weekly hours. Division rules, made with the board, govern assistant supervision. These changes do not establish new insurance coverage or equipment prices.
Nurse midwives gain more education routes
Beginning May 6, 2026, nurse midwife applicants can qualify through programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. Programs accredited by another division-approved body also qualify. The division must approve alternative accreditors by rule made with the board.
Nursing penalty funds support education oversight
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Nurse Education and Enforcement Account supports establishing and reviewing approved nursing education programs. Listed uses also include licensee and board training, enforcement, and program surveys. Administrative penalties and interest fund the account. Spending requires legislative approval, and the law sets no appropriation amount.
Sedation providers gain another certification option
Beginning May 6, 2026, covered adult outpatient sedation providers can use either of two current resuscitation certifications. These are advanced cardiovascular life support or perioperative resuscitation and life support. The option covers moderate sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia outside emergency departments. The law also updates the nursing-license category recognized as an anesthesia or sedation provider.
Acupuncturists face certification and title rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, acupuncture applicants must document active certification requirements from the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Only Utah-licensed acupuncturists can use “licensed acupuncturist” or “L.Ac.”; medical doctors and chiropractic physicians cannot use those titles. Acupuncture-related doctor titles must match the licensed acupuncturist’s degree. The law also repeals a section titled “Acupuncture license not authorizing medical practice -- Insurance payments.” The supplied text does not establish that repeal’s specific effect on practice or insurance payments.
Medication aides face care facility limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, certified medication aides face a limit on helping long-term care residents take medicine themselves. They cannot provide that help for a medication regulated by Utah Department of Health and Human Services rules.
State faces limits defining nursing practice
Beginning May 6, 2026, the licensing division faces limits when adding activities to specified nursing practices. An activity must fit the generally recognized scope and professional standards. Alternatively, its inclusion must follow an Office of Professional Licensure Review recommendation.
Acupuncturists gain injections with safety limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, trained acupuncturists can use ultrasound guidance for injections under the skin or into muscle. They can obtain and give specified substances in-office; division rules set training and can add approved substances. Injections into blood vessels, nerves, joints, deep organs, or the spine are prohibited. Injection therapy is also prohibited for pregnant patients and children under eight.
Athletic trainers face stronger safety duties
Beginning May 6, 2026, athletic trainers must collaborate with physicians for suspected head injuries, including concussions. Collaboration is also required for injuries beyond their scope or expertise, or injuries not responding to treatment. Trainers must record the collaboration. License applicants must document emergency cardiac care certification covering adult and pediatric CPR, blocked airways, two-rescuer CPR, defibrillators, and barrier devices. Certification must include an in-person or virtual skills demonstration.
Athletic trainers gain services with eligibility changes
Beginning May 6, 2026, athletic training covers qualifying physical activities generally linked to schools or sports organizations, including occupational activities. Referees, coaches, and athletic staff are no longer separately included as athletes. Covered conditions include those a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or physical therapist identifies as benefiting from athletic training. Trainers can use exercise, heat, cold, and compression without the former written-plan, protocol, or physician-order requirement. Dentists can collaborate within their own scope, skills, and board oversight rules.
Ear acupuncture providers need protocol certification
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah updates which nursing licenses qualify providers for ear-acupuncture detoxification protocols. The NADA protocol supports people with substance use disorders and trauma survivors. Providers must obtain National Acupuncture Detoxification Association certification and send proof to the licensing division. Similar protocols require division approval, and providers must meet the division’s requirements.
Nursing licenses change with legacy protections
Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying July 1, 1998, legacy nursing license holders retain credentials without prescribing authority. This applies when they cannot document advanced coursework in patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and drug therapy. Nursing certifications count as licenses until renewal or May 6, 2028, whichever comes first. Updated advanced-nurse categories also apply to compact roles, unattended-death rules, and provider definitions for hormonal transgender treatment of minors. An unattended death occurs more than 365 days after examination or treatment; the minor-treatment requirements remain in place.
Occupational therapists gain dry needling with training
Beginning May 6, 2026, licensed occupational therapists can provide dry needling beyond trigger points. They must complete a division-approved course totaling at least 304 hours. This includes 54 hours of in-person instruction and 250 supervised patient-treatment hours. Therapists must file proof of completion, register with the division, and meet its additional dry-needling requirements.
Physical therapists gain limited medicine authority
Beginning May 6, 2026, physical therapists can buy, store, and give specified medicines under a prescriber’s written prescription. Topical uses cover wound care and musculoskeletal treatment using electrical or ultrasound delivery methods. Aerosol medicine for lung hygiene is allowed in institutions only when no licensed respiratory therapist is available within 10 miles. Physical therapists cannot dispense prescription drugs.
Physical therapy teams get clearer limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, physical therapist assistants can perform joint mobilization, but not high-velocity thrusts. Aides remain limited to simple joint distraction, stretching, or mobilization included in a home exercise program. Therapists must choose safe, effective treatments within assistants’ roles and supervise on-site or remain immediately available in person, by phone, or electronically. The division approves nationally recognized licensing exams by rule after board consultation. The law also defines electronic consultation as a health care provider receiving advice from an out-of-state physical therapist.
Physician assistants get revised practice pathways
Beginning May 6, 2026, physician assistant applicants can use ARC-PA-accredited programs or programs with a division-approved alternative accreditor. The law removes the former listed-accreditor route for programs completed before January 1, 2001. The collaboration experience threshold drops from 10,000 to 8,500 postgraduate clinical hours. Subject to the mental-health-care exception, the first 4,000 hours require physician collaboration. Above 4,000 but below 8,500 hours, a written agreement is required with a physician or a physician assistant with over 8,500 same-specialty hours.
Radiologic technologists use certification practice rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the radiologic-technologist practice provision refers to certified rather than licensed technologists. Certified technologists can practice only under a radiologist’s or radiology practitioner’s general supervision and order. Practice must stay within the supervising professional’s scope and experience.
Trained acupuncture aides can provide support
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah acupuncture aides can perform state-defined support tasks within their training. A supervising licensed acupuncturist must be physically present and available. Aides need approved clean-needle certification, a state-approved course, or qualifications set by state rule. They cannot diagnose, locate acupuncture points, insert needles, use electrical stimulation, advise patients, or perform similarly skilled clinical procedures.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jason B. Kyle
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 59 • No: 5
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 22 • No: 1
House vote • 3/3/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 15 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 6
House vote • 3/3/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/17/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ amended
3/3/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/3/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 16:03:220
3/6/2026
Amended 3/3/2026 19:03:217
3/3/2026
Amended 2/25/2026 16:02:990
2/25/2026
Substitute #4
2/25/2026
Substitute #3
2/23/2026
Substitute #2
2/18/2026
Substitute #1
2/5/2026
Introduced
12/18/2025