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Boards adopt dry-needling rules for occupational therapists and athletic trainers
Summary
Multiple professional boards presented parallel rules allowing certified occupational therapists and athletic trainers to perform upper-limb dry needling following specified training hours; members asked about liability and standardization with other professions.
The Department of Health presented parallel rule changes allowing occupational therapists and athletic trainers to practice upper-limb dry needling if they complete 50 hours of instruction covering musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems plus 24 hours specific to upper-limb technique. Olivia Johnson, legislative liaison, said the changes implement public chapters passed by the General Assembly and the educational standards mirror those adopted for similar health professions.
Members raised liability concerns and asked whether practitioners would need additional insurance; board representatives said many practitioners already carry liability insurance or are insured by employers and that the rule sets educational and blood-borne-pathogen precautions consistent with other professions. The committee moved positive recommendations for the occupational therapy and athletic trainer rule packages.
