Full text of Utah Utah Code § 16a-502 — Unprofessional conduct., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16a-502. Unprofessional conduct.
Effective 7/1/2026
58-16a-502.
Unprofessional conduct.
"Unprofessional conduct" includes, in addition to the definition in Section
58-1-501:
| (1) | using or employing the services of an optometric assistant to assist a licensee in any manner not in accordance with:
| (a) | the generally recognized practices and standards of ethics of the profession; or |
| (b) | applicable state law or division rule; |
|
| (2) | failure to refer a patient to an appropriate licensed practitioner when:
| (a) | the patient's condition does not respond to treatment; or |
| (b) | the treatment is not within the scope of competence or licensure of the licensee; |
|
| (3) | providing confidential information regarding a patient to any third party who does not have a legal and professional ground for obtaining the information; |
| (4) | knowingly prescribing, selling, giving away, or administering any prescription drug unless:
| (a) | for a legitimate medical purpose; |
| (b) | upon a proper diagnosis indicating the use of the drug in the amount prescribed or provided; and |
|
| (5) | giving or receiving directly or indirectly any fee, commission, rebate, or other compensation for professional services not actually and personally rendered, except as part of a legal relationship within a lawful professional partnership, corporation, or association; |
| (6) | failure to transfer pertinent and necessary information from a patient's medical records to another optometrist or physician when the patient or the patient's representative, as designated in writing, requests; |
| (7) | failure to provide a contact lens prescription to a person that sells contact lenses in accordance with Section 58-16a-306; or |
| (8) | falsely making an entry in, or altering, a medical record with the intent to conceal:
| (a) | a wrongful or negligent act or omission of an individual licensed under this chapter or an individual under the direction or control of an individual licensed under this chapter; or |
|
Amended by Chapter
64, 2026 General Session
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 16a-502
What does Utah Code § 16a-502 cover?
Section 16a-502 ("Unprofessional conduct.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Utah § 16a-502?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 16a-502" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Utah law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.
How does Utah § 16a-502 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
