California
On February 20, 2026, California Assembly Member Natasha Johnson (R-Riverside) introduced “AB-2497 Physical therapists,” an act amending the California Physical Therapy Act. The proposal was amended in assembly on March 19, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee on March 23, 2026.
The act will “amend Sections 2601, 2620.3, 2622, and 2633 of, to add Sections 2620.4 and 2620.6 to, to repeal Sections 2620.1 and 2689 of, and to repeal and add Sections 2620 and 2620.5 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.”
There are several important changes in this act, such as:
- The bill would revise the scope of practice of a physical therapist to include the authority to prescribe nonopioid analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and would require the board to adopt regulations implementing that provision after meeting and conferring with the Medical Board of California and the California State Board of Pharmacy to specify those medications.
- The bill would delete existing requirements for the performance of tissue penetration by a physical therapist and instead would include within the practice of physical therapy the performance of tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating, interpreting, and treating the neuromuscular system.
- The bill would authorize a physical therapist to perform and interpret musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging and refer a patient for imaging studies.
Colorado
Occupational therapists in Colorado have reason to celebrate! On February 18, 2026, House Bill 26-1042 passed the House, and on March 17, the Senate. The bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.
Once signed by the Governor, Colorado occupational therapists will be able to use dry needling starting on and after September 1, 2027 as long as the occupational therapist
- Has the knowledge, skill, ability, and documented competency to perform the act;
- Has successfully completed a dry needling course of study that meets supervisorial, educational, and clinical prerequisites to be established by rule; and
- Obtains a written informed consent from each patient for dry needling, including:
- Information concerning the potential benefits and risks of dry needling; and
- A statement that the occupational therapist performing dry needling is not an acupuncturist.
Florida
On March 5, 2026, occupational therapists in Florida joined the party after the Florida Senate passed “CS/HB 867: Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists.” Unlike in Colorado, Florida OTs don’t have to wait as long because the bill’s effective date is July 1, 2026.
We believe that dry needling by occupational therapists has been approved in 17 states. Only 33 more to go…..