Dry Needling Rulings
Indiana
Is Dry Needling Legal in Indiana?
- As of April 19, 2023, the Indiana Board of Physical Therapy's New Final Rule, LSA Document #22-353(F) will go into effect, which impacts the use of dry needling. According to the Final Rule, a physical therapist must have the knowledge, skill, ability, and competence to perform dry needling. After June 30, 2024, to be deemed competent to perform dry needling, a physical therapist must successfully complete a minimum of fifty (50) hours of education specific to dry needling theory, practice, and technique of which forty (40) hours must be completed in person. (1) A physical therapist may apply dry needling specific education hours completed within the entry-level education program toward the fifty (50) hour requirement. The physical therapist must complete any remaining education hours to reach a total of fifty (50) hours prior to providing dry needling services. (2) The physical therapist bears the burden of proof of sufficient education and training to ensure competence with the treatment or intervention. Education courses that meet the requirements of 842 IAC 1-7-5 satisfy this requirement. (3) If requested by the board or a member of the public, the physical therapist providing dry needling services shall provide documentation of completion of the training required by this rule. (4) Failure to provide written documentation to the board in compliance with this requirement shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the physical therapist is not competent and shall not be permitted to perform dry needling. (5) Dry needling shall be performed directly by the physical therapist and shall not be delegated.
- In August 2012, the Indiana Physical Therapy Committee declared that "Indiana does not take a position on dry needling and does not offer a certification for this practice. The current Indiana statute is open and does not specifically state whether of not it is appropriate. The statue is up to interpretation and any PT who is interested in needling should consult their legal counsel. If someone was brought before the Committee for an incident resulting from using needling, the Committee would ask them what their qualifications were and determine if they were adequately educated in needling."
