We have repeatedly reported that Pennsylvania House Bill 2070, sponsored by Representative John Schlegel, which would allow physical therapists in Pennsylvania to use dry needling, has been in the House Professional Licensure Committee since December 3, 2025.
On July 28, 2026, the Professional Licensure Committee conducted an “Informational Meeting,” during which various stakeholders presented their points of view.
Dr. J.J. Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT of Primal Physical Therapy, represented the American Physical Therapy Association – Pennsylvania. JJ and Jan Dommerholt have worked together for many years advocating for dry needling by physical therapists, for example, in Washington State. JJ was a member of the Dry Needling Taskforce of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, which produced the independently commissioned HUMRRO study, “Analysis of Competencies for Dry Needling by Physical Therapists.”
Other participants included
- Dr. Jay Grandeo, PT, DPT, DScPT, from the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University,
- Dr. William Kuprevich, DO, representing the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association
- Dr. Marc Belitsky, DC, representing the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association
- Dr. Suzanne Kaczor, D.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCBAHM), L.Ac., President, Association of Professional Acupuncture in PA, and
- Janelle Farkas, Dipl. Ac. (NCBAHM), L.Ac., Legislative Chair, Association of Professional Acupuncture in PA
In addition to dry needling, the committee discussed expanding direct access to physical therapy services.
We will continue to monitor the dry needling legislative developments in Pennsylvania.
PS. The illustration is a fictional AI-produced image with no resemblance to the actual committee meeting……