Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists

On and after September 1, 2027, the bill authorizes an occupational therapist to perform dry needling if the occupational therapist:

• Has the knowledge, skill, ability, and documented competency to perform the act;
• Has successfully completed a dry needling course of study that meets supervisorial, educational, and clinical prerequisites to be established by rule; and
• Obtains a written informed consent from each patient for dry needling, including:
• Information concerning the potential benefits and risks of dry needling; and
• A statement that the occupational therapist performing dry needling is not an acupuncturist.

      The bill requires the director of the division of professions and occupations within the department of regulatory agencies is required to adopt rules to implement the bill authorization for an occupational therapist to perform dry needling. The bill specifies that, at a minimum, the rules must establish requirements for dry needling performed by an occupational therapist that are equivalent to the requirements in rules adopted by the state physical therapy board for dry needling performed by a physical therapist.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)