Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1150 - TN Boards of Occupational and Physical Therapy
Chapter 1150-01 - General Rules Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy
Section 1150-01-.22 - DRY NEEDLING

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 1150-01-.22

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) In order to perform dry needling, a physical therapist must obtain all of the educational instruction described in paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b) herein. All such educational instruction must be obtained in person and may not be obtained online or through video conferencing.

(2) Mandatory Training - Before performing dry needling, a practitioner must complete educational requirements in each of the following areas:

(a) Fifty (50) hours of instruction, to include instruction in each of the four (4) areas listed herein, which are generally satisfied during the normal course of study in physical therapy school:
1. Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular systems;

2. Anatomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic pain, and referred pain;

3. Trigger Points;

4. Universal Precautions; and

(b) Twenty-four (24) hours of dry needling specific instruction.
1. The twenty-four (24) hours must include instruction in each of the following six (6) areas:
(i) Dry needling technique;

(ii) Dry needling indications and contraindications;

(iii) Documentation of dry needling;

(iv) Management of adverse effects;

(v) Practical psychomotor competency; and

(vi) Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Bloodborne Pathogens Protocol.

2. Each instructional course shall specify what anatomical regions are included in the instruction and describe whether the course offers introductory or advanced instruction in dry needling.

3. Each course must be pre-approved or approved by the Board or its consultant, or the Board may delegate the approval process to recognized health-related organizations or accredited physical therapy educational institutions.

(3) A newly-licensed physical therapist shall not practice dry needling for at least one (1) year from the date of initial licensure, unless the practitioner can demonstrate compliance with paragraph (2) through his or her pre-licensure educational coursework.

(4) Any physical therapist who obtained the requisite twenty-four (24) hours of instruction as described in paragraph (2)(b) in another state or country must provide the same documentation to the Board, as described in paragraph (2)(b), that is required of a course provider. The Board or its consultant must approve the practitioner's dry needling coursework before the therapist can practice dry needling in this state.

(5) Dry needling may only be performed by a licensed physical therapist and may not be delegated to a physical therapist assistant or support personnel.

(6) A physical therapist practicing dry needling must supply written documentation, upon request by the Board, that substantiates appropriate training as required by this rule.

(7) All physical therapy patients receiving dry needling shall be provided with information from the patient's physical therapist that includes a definition and description of the practice of dry needling and a description of the risks, benefits, and potential side effects of dry needling.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-13-304 and 63-13-305.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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