Created:  17 January 2023
Modified:  18 November 2025
Approved: 14 October 2026

Employment:

Student Support Scope of Practice

Definitions—

1. “Counseling” means a method used by school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers to assist individuals and groups in learning how to solve problems, develop coping strategies, and make decisions about personal, health, social, emotional, behavioral, educational, vocational, financial, and other interpersonal concerns.
2.  “Mental health services” has the same meaning as “practicing mental health therapy” as defined by in Utah Code § 58-60-102(17).
3. “Psychological services” includes:
   1. administering psychological and education assessments, and other assessment procedures;
   2. interpreting assessment results;
   3. obtaining, integrating, and interpreting information about student behavior and conditions relating to learning;
   4. consulting with other staff members in planning school programs to meet the special educational needs of student as indicated by psychological assessments, interviews, direct observation, and behavioral evaluations;
   5. planning and managing a program of psychological services, including psychological counseling for students and parents; and
   6. assisting in developing positive behavior intervention strategies.
4. “Student support license areas” mean the following license areas of concentration:
   1. School Counselor
   2. School Psychologist
   3. School Social Worker

Utah Admin. Rules R277-313-2 (August 7, 2025)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-301-2(6) (November 7, 2025)

Utah Code § 58-60-102(17) (2025)

Scope of Practice for Student Support Licensed Educators—

Subject to the requirements and restrictions set out in Policy FEA, Policy FDACE, and Policy FDACG, an educator who holds a student support license area of concentration may do any of the following:

1. make referrals for students and families to community mental and behavioral health resources;
2. provide professional learning to staff and information regarding prevention and mental health related topics to students and families, within the scope of their licensure;
3. provide counseling to individuals and small groups of students with identified needs and concerns;
4. provide, coordinate, and participate in crisis intervention and prevention, including assessing students for risk of suicide;
5. participate in a multi-disciplinary team for the development of student special services, including behavior intervention plans, Section 504 accommodations, and individualized education program services;
6. conduct assessments in which the individual is trained in the ethical administration, scoring, and interpretation related to the intended use of the assessment and meet the assessment publisher’s criteria for administration; and;
7. act as a related service provider to provide counseling services for students with an individualized education program consistent with State Board of Education rules.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-313-3(1) (August 7, 2025)

An educator who holds a School Counselor license area of concentration may implement a school counseling program as outlined in State Board of Education Rule R277-462 and Utah K-12 comprehensive school counseling program components. The educator may also provide mental health services in the school setting under the conditions set out in Policy FDACG. To the extent a school counselor’s services do not constitute school mental health services so as to require parental consent under Policy FDACG, the counselor shall obtain written parental consent prior to providing counseling services to a student.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-313-3(2), (3) (August 7, 2025)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-313-4(1) (August 7, 2025)

An educator who holds a School Psychologist license area of concentration may provide psychological services for special education.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-313-3(4) (August 7, 2025)