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Committee adds occupational therapists to authorized providers of dry needling
Summary
The committee favorably recommended House Bill 188, which allows occupational therapists with required training and supervised practice to perform dry needling and clarifies enforcement through the Department of Professional Licensing.
The Senate Business and Labor Standing Committee voted to favorably recommend House Bill 188, which adds occupational therapists to the list of licensed practitioners who may perform dry needling provided they complete required coursework and supervised patient practice.
Representative Paul Cutler, the bill sponsor, said the change aligns occupational therapy practice with physical therapy rules already in place: “This adds occupational therapists to the list of those who can perform dry needling.” The bill requires prospective providers to complete 54 hours of classroom instruction plus supervised clinical practice and then file certification with the Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Senator Todd Musselman asked whether the department had been involved; Representative Cutler confirmed DOPL has been consulted and would enforce the certification standard and complaints. Committee members asked clarifying questions and then placed the bill on a favorable-recommendation motion.
Senator Musselman moved the committee recommendation on the first-substitute measure; the motion passed unanimously.
