Dry Needling Rulings
Illinois
Is Dry Needling Legal in Illinois?
- Effective August 24, 2023, Illinois has an updated Physical Therapy Practice Act (Administrative Code, Title 68: Professions and Occupations, Chapter VII: Department Of Financial and Professional Regulation, Subchapter B: Professions and Occupations, Part 1340 Illinois Physical Therapy Act, Section 1340.75 Intramuscular Manual Therapy).
- Educational Requirements: Prerequisite of 50 hours of general education that are traditionally part of entry level education for physical therapists / Completion of 30 hours of self study related to dry needling (acceptable self-study includes pre-course reading requirements such as textbooks and literature) / Completion of 54 hours of face to face dry needling education that can be divided into modules with the initial module being no fewer than 27 hours; however, all 54 hours must be completed within 12 months / Completion of 200 patient treatment session under supervision that can be in coordination with face to face education modules.
- The governor signed the bill into law on August 25, 2017.
- A newly-licensed physical therapist shall not practice dry needling for at least one year from the date of initial licensure unless the practitioner can demonstrate compliance with subsection (b) through his or her pre-licensure educational coursework.
- On July 3, 2017, a new bill authorizing dry needling by physical therapists in Illinois was sent to the Governor for his signature. The bill passed unanimously out of the House and Senate with bipartisan sponsorship and support.
- On April 25, 2014, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) released an informal opinion on April 25, 2014, asserting that dry needling would not be within the scope of practice of licensed physical therapists in the state of Illinois. The rationale was because all procedures listed in the physical therapy practice act are non-invasive.
- In June 2011, the Illinois Acupuncture Federation issued a position statement opposing dry needling by physical therapists.
- In August 2010, dry needling by physical therapists was approved in Illinois.
