R277-313. Student Support License Areas of Concentration

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-313.  Student Support License Areas of Concentration.

R277-313-1.  Authority, Purpose, and Oversight Category.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

          (c)  Subsection 53E-6-201(1), which allows the board to establish a system for educator licensing.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to establish guidelines for student support license areas of concentration.

          (3)  This Rule R277-313 is categorized as Category 2 as described in Rule R277-111.

R277-313-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Authorized personnel" has the same meaning as defined in Section 53G-9-901.

          (2)  "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.

          (3)  "Mental health services" has the same definition as "practicing mental health therapy" contained in Subsection 58-60-102(17).

          (4)  "Practicing mental health therapy" has the same meaning as set forth in Subsection 58-60-102(17).

          (5)  "Psychological services" includes:

          (a)  administering psychological and education assessments, and other assessment procedures;

          (b)  interpreting assessment results;

          (c)  obtaining, integrating, and interpreting information about student behavior and conditions relating to learning;

          (d)  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;

          (e)  planning and managing a program of psychological services, including psychological counseling for students and parents; and

          (f)  assisting in developing positive behavior intervention strategies.

          (6)  "Student support license areas" mean the following license areas of concentration:

          (a)  school counselor;

          (b)  school psychologist; and

          (c)  school social worker.

R277-313-3.  Student Support License Areas Scope of Practice.

          (1)  An educator with a student support license area may:

          (a)  make referrals for students and families to community mental and behavioral health resources;

          (b)  provide professional learning to staff and information regarding prevention and mental health related topics to students and families, within the scope of their licensure;

          (c)  provide counseling to individuals and small groups of students with identified needs and concerns;

          (d)  provide, coordinate, and participate in crisis intervention and prevention, including assessing students for risk of suicide;

          (e)  participate in a multidisciplinary team for the development of student special services, including:

          (i)  behavior intervention plans;

          (ii)  Section 504 accommodations; and

          (iii)  individualized education program services;

          (f)  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

          (g)  act as a related service provider to provide counseling services for students with a 504 plan or with an individualized education program consistent with Rule R277-750 and the Special Education Rules manual.

          (2)  A school counselor may implement a school counseling program as outlined in Rule R277-462 and the Utah K-12 comprehensive school counseling program components.

          (3)  A school counselor may provide services in a school as described in Section R277-306-6 and Subsection 53G-9-901(2)(b).

          (4)  A school psychologist may provide psychological services for special education.

          (5)  Authorized personnel may provide a mental health service in a school.

R277-313-4.  Parent Consent.

          (1)  A school counselor shall obtain written parent consent prior to providing services authorized under this rule.

          (2)  Authorized personnel shall obtain consent as required in Section 53G-9-902 prior to providing mental health services.

          (3)  Notwithstanding Subsection (2), consistent with Subsection 53G-9-902(3)(b), authorized personnel may provide services without parent consent if a delay could create an immediate serious risk of suicide or serious bodily injury to the student or another individual.

          (2)  A school or LEA shall:

          (a)  provide training to educators on the parent consent requirement; and

          (b)  ensure compliance by the educators employed by the LEA.

KEY:  honors

Date of Last Change:  August 7, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented, or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4)

Status of Rule

Effective August 7, 2025

Five-year review October 11, 2027

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Oversight Framework

Category 2

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53E-3-501

Title 53E, Chapter 6, Educator Licensing and Professional Practices Act, specifically 53E-6-201

Other Statutes
Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 2, Mental Health Professional Practices Act

Title 58, Chapter 61, Part 3, Psychologist Licensing Act

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-301, Educator Licensing

R277-462, School Counseling Program

R277-750, Education Programs for Students with Disabilities

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Related Federal Law

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

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Resources

USBE School Counseling Programs College and Career Readiness

Special Education Rules Manual

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Malia Hite
malia.hite@schools.utah.gov
Teaching and Learning, Educator Licensing

Secondary Contact:
Leah Voorhies
leah.voorhies@schools.utah.gov
Student Support

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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