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State board sets 74‑hour training requirement for athletic trainers seeking dry needling authorization
Summary
The Department of Health presented emergency rules implementing 2025 changes that allow athletic trainers to perform dry needling; the rules require 74 hours of in-person training (50 hours general instruction and 24 hours specific to dry needling) and the board included the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Association in drafting.
Olivia Johnson, legislative liaison for the Department of Health, told committee members the athletic trainers emergency rule implements 2025 Public Chapter 76 to allow licensed athletic trainers to perform dry needling and establishes minimum education standards.
"Under these proposed rules, licensed athletic trainers must have comprehensive in person training that total at least 74 hours," Johnson said, specifying 50 hours for general musculoskeletal instruction and 24 hours for dry-needling technique, documentation, management of adverse effects and blood-borne pathogen protocols.
Representative Hardaway asked whether professional organizations were included in drafting. Michael Varnell, board attorney, confirmed the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Association was included. There were no public comments and the Senate voted to move the rule out with a positive recommendation.
The rule is technical and focuses on practitioner competency and patient safety; the board said training and documentation requirements aim to standardize practice across the state.
