Questions about a course or state approval? Text us at (919) 307-7973
Physical therapist resource
Scope comes before course selection.
Dry needling law, training requirements and documentation duties differ by state. Use this page as a decision guide—not as a substitute for your licensing board.
The older MDN scope page contains conflicting state entries. This rebuild does not repeat a potentially stale 50-state list. APTA states that its linked resource was updated July 18, 2026; always confirm the final answer with your state board.
Four questions to answer
Know the rule—not just the map color.
Allowed” is only the beginning. Your state may still impose specific education, experience, consent and documentation conditions.
1
Is dry needling inside my PT scope?
Start with the current law, rule, board guidance or attorney-general opinion for the state where you practice.
2
What education is required?
Look for minimum hours, in-person requirements, examinations, approved providers and anatomical-region limits.
3
What must happen before treatment?
Review consent, referral, documentation, hygiene, adverse-event and recordkeeping requirements.
4
Can the procedure be delegated?
Many states limit dry needling to the licensed PT and do not permit delegation to a PTA or support personnel.
Do not confuse these
Three different questions need three different answers.
Legal scope
May a PT perform dry needling in this state?
Training standard
What education, experience or examination is required?
CE approval
Will a specific course count toward license renewal?
Why state details matter
Requirements can be dramatically different.
These examples summarize language on the existing MDN resource page. They are prompts for verification—not current legal advice.
Louisiana
The source page describes at least 50 hours of face-to-face dry needling instruction and specific consent/documentation standards.
Mississippi
The source page describes 50 hours of face-to-face study, three years of licensed PT practice and credentials filed with the board.
South Dakota
The source page describes a board-approved course whose majority is in person and limits practice to regions included in training.
Tennessee
The source page describes in-person education, 24 hours of dry-needling-specific instruction and board pre-approval of coursework.
Virginia
The source page describes dry needling as advanced practice and references at least 54 hours of post-professional training plus documentation and consent requirements.
North Carolina
The source page describes dry needling as within PT scope for clinicians with the requisite education and training; verify the board’s current framework.
Keep your proof.
Retain course certificates, agendas, syllabi, examinations and documentation of hands-on training. Several state rules place the burden on the licensee to demonstrate competence.
State-board guidance saved with review date
Course agenda and contact hours
Completion certificate and competency records
Patient consent and treatment documentation
Choose the right MDN course
Verify scope. Verify approval. Then enroll.
MDN can provide course documents, but only your licensing board can give the final regulatory answer.
Practical dry needling education for clinicians who want to think clearly, treat confidently and keep learning.
Explore
© 2026 Total Motion Physical Therapy, Inc.