81-9-502. Custody evaluator qualifications -- Roster of custody evaluators.

388 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-81/chapter-9/81-9-502

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

(a)To be a custody evaluator, an individual shall:

(i)be licensed by the Division of Professional Licensing as a:

(A)clinical social worker under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 2, Social Worker Licensing Act;

(B)psychologist under Title 58, Chapter 61, Psychologist Licensing Act;

(C)physician under Title 58, Chapter 67, Part 3, Licensing, and is board trained in psychiatry;

(D)marriage and family therapist under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 3, Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Act; or

(E)clinical mental health counselor under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 4, Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Act; and

(ii)subject to Subsection (1)(b) , have completed at least 18 hours of education or training on:

(A)the psychological and developmental needs of children, including needs related to decisions about child custody and parent-time;

(B)family dynamics, including parent-child relationships, blended families, and extended family relationships; and

(C)the effects of separation, divorce, domestic violence, child sexual or physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect, substance abuse, and interparental conflict on the psychological and developmental needs of children and adults.

(b)An individual shall complete the 18 hours of education or training described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii) within two years before the later of:

(i)the day on which the individual received a license described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) ; or

(ii)the day on which the individual renewed a license described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) .

(a)The Administrative Office of the Courts shall maintain a roster of custody evaluators.

(b)The roster of custody evaluators shall include the name, business address, telephone number, email address, custody evaluation fees, and professional license expiration date of each custody evaluator.

(c)To be included on the roster of custody evaluators, the Administrative Office of the Courts may require a custody evaluator to submit documentation:

(i)proving the individual meets the qualifications described in Subsection

(1); and

(ii)providing the information described in Subsection (2)(b) .

(d)The Administrative Office of the Courts shall:

(i)make the roster of custody evaluators available to a court and parties for use in selecting a custody evaluator; and

(ii)remove from the roster of custody evaluators any individual who fails to comply with this section.

Enacted by Chapter 309 , 2026 General Session