Legislators Take First Step To Include Dry Needling In PT Practice Act

Posted: Feb. 14, 2018

The Colorado House Public Health Care & Human Services has amended a bill to include dry needling in the PT practice act as part of the expected continuation of physical therapy licensure.

Listen to the audio of the hearing here. 

The vote to amend HB18-1155, Sunset Continue Physical Therapy Board Functions, was 10-3. Among other things, the bill, if passed and signed into law by the governor, extends the licensing of physical therapists and the certification of physical therapist assistants until 2027.

APTA Colorado worked with the bill's sponsors on the amendment. While Colorado PTs have long been permitted to practice dry needling, and this has been clarified in the State Physical Therapy Board's Rule 211, the technique has come under fire from acupuncturists and acupuncture schools.

APTA Colorado President Cameron MacDonald tweeted the news to the PT and interested community:

Dry Needling - vote in House Committee today is 10-3 to include dry needling in statute for physical therapists to provide for patients in Colorado. HB 1155 moves forward.

— Cameron MacDonald (@physiocam) February 13, 2018

The bill moves next to the House Finance Committee, where it is scheduled to be heard  Monday, March 5 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in Room LSB-A. Please know that legislative calendars change frequently. 

Members: To join the Dry Needling Discussion Circle, click here (you must be signed in to the APTA website).