SB 224

Present law authorizes (i) physical therapists to perform dry needling in accordance with minimum competency req uirements set by the board of physical therapy and (ii) occupational therapists to practice dry needling of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder girdle, with proper training and certification. As used in present law, "dry needling"" means a skilled interv e ntion that uses a thin needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying neural, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, and movement impairments. This bill authorizes an athletic trainer to also use dry needling for the prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment of athletic injuries. However, an athletic trainer must obtain proper training and certification in order to practice dry needling and m u st practice only in those areas in which an athletic trainer is competent. Competency must be substantiated by records or other evidence found acceptable by the board of athletic trainers in accordance with minimum competency requirements established by t he board. This bill clarifies that the practice of dry needling by an athletic trainer does not constitute the practice of acupuncture. ON MARCH 10, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 62, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the b ill to, instead, provide the following:  Authorizes an athletic trainer to use dry needling and physical modalities, such as heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, or mechanical devices, for the prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment of athletic injuries.  Requires an athletic trainer to only practice in those areas in which an athletic trainer is competent by reason of training or experience that can be substantiated by records or other evidence found acceptable by the board in the exercise of the board's considered discretion.  Requires an athletic trainer to obtain such training and certification in the practice of dry needling as the board of athletic trainers may require by rule.  Clarifies that the practice of dry needling by an athletic trainer does not constitute the practice of acupuncture.  Authorizes the board of athletic trainers to promulgate rules to effectuate the bill.  Grants the board of athletic trainers the power and duty to e stablish minimum competency requirements that an athletic trainer must demonstrate in order to practice dry needling . The minimum competency requirements must include (i) at least 50 hours of instructio n, which must include m usculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems; a natomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic pain, and referral pain; t rigger points; and u niversal precaution; and (ii) a t least 24 hours dry needling specific instruction, which must include d ry needling technique; d ry needling indications and contraindications; d ry needling documentation; m anagement of adverse effects; p ractical psychomotor competency; and b loodborne pathogens protocol.  Requires the board of athletic trainers to approve the schools and organizations that provide sufficient instruction to satisfy the minimum competency requirements.  Changes the effective date for the bill, other than rulemaking, to September 1, 2025."