Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists

New dry-needling rules for Florida occupational therapists

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida’s occupational therapy board must set minimum standards for therapists who perform dry needling. Therapists need 2 years of licensed practice and 50 hours of board-approved, in-person continuing education. An instructor must confirm they have the hands-on skills to perform dry needling safely. Training must cover theory, safe needle and equipment handling, hazardous waste, when treatment is appropriate, and hands-on skills. It must also cover aftercare, adverse reactions, patient injury records, and reporting duties. Therapists also need at least 25 patient sessions under qualified supervision or while licensed in any state or the U.S. Armed Forces. Supervisors must be occupational therapists, physical therapists, or chiropractic physicians with an active license in a state or Washington, D.C. They must have performed dry needling for at least 1 year and document the therapist’s competence and completion of supervision. Patients must consent, and dry needling must be part of their documented care plan. Therapists cannot delegate it to anyone not authorized under the occupational therapy law. The board must add training and supervision for head, neck, or torso treatments if it finds these necessary for patient safety. The law adopts existing Florida legal definitions of dry needling and myofascial trigger point. It does not limit other licensed health professionals’ scope of practice. By December 31, 2028, the Department of Health must report to legislative leaders using existing resources. The report must cover therapist numbers, how many perform dry needling, geographic increases or decreases, and board-defined adverse medical incidents.