HB 188: Dry Needling Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/18/2025 15:02:855 → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's physical therapy and occupational therapy laws to formally include dry needling as a recognized practice. It moves dry needling from being treated as an unprofessional act to a regulated activity requiring registration and training. The changes also clarify that no referral is needed for these services and expand occupational therapy to include mental wellness support.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of practice for both physical therapists and occupational therapists to include dry needling, previously not explicitly authorized under state law.

DEFINITION

Added dry needling to the official definitions of physical therapy and occupational therapy.

REQUIREMENT

Created new registration requirements for physical therapists and occupational therapists who wish to perform dry needling.

ELIGIBILITY

Established experience and training requirements, including 304 course hours with supervised patient treatment, for practitioners to perform dry needling.

SCOPE

Removed the requirement for a referral from another health provider before physical or occupational therapy can be provided.

Expanded occupational therapy to include assistance with mental wellness.

TECHNICAL

Changed terminology from 'person' to 'individual' throughout the definitions for consistency.

Amended Excerpts 2/18/2025 15:02:855 → Amended 2/18/2025 15:02:855 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's physical therapy and occupational therapy laws to formally include dry needling as a recognized practice. It moves dry needling requirements from an exception to unlawful conduct into a licensing requirement, expands the legal definition of both physical and occupational therapy to include dry needling, and creates a registration requirement for occupational therapists who wish to perform dry needling.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of practice for both physical therapists and occupational therapists to explicitly include dry needling, previously not clearly defined in the statutes.

DEFINITION

Added dry needling to the official definition of physical therapy and occupational therapy under Utah law.

REQUIREMENT

Established a registration requirement for occupational therapists who engage in dry needling.

Removed the previous exception that treated dry needling as potentially unlawful or unprofessional conduct.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that physical therapists may practice dry needling if they hold a valid license and have completed appropriate training.

SCOPE

Expanded occupational therapy scope to allow therapists to assist with mental wellness.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/18/2025 15:02:855 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill adds a new registration requirement for physical and occupational therapists who wish to perform dry needling, requiring them to complete additional training and register with the state division. It also removes the previous exception that allowed these therapists to practice dry needling without registration, making it a formal part of their licensed practice. Additionally, the bill clarifies that no referral is needed for these therapists to provide treatment and expands the definition of occupational therapy to include mental wellness support.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of practice for physical and occupational therapists to formally include dry needling as a recognized therapy, requiring registration and additional training rather than treating it as an unregulated activity.

REQUIREMENT

Changed dry needling from an unregulated exception to a formal requirement where therapists must register with the division and complete specific training courses.

Removed the previous exception that allowed physical and occupational therapists to practice dry needling without registration, making it a formal requirement.

Established that no referral is needed for physical or occupational therapists to evaluate, initiate, and provide treatment to clients.

ELIGIBILITY

Added experience requirements for dry needling practitioners, requiring physical and occupational therapists to hold a valid license and have actively practiced for two years before performing dry needling.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of occupational therapy to include mental wellness support and formally included dry needling as a therapeutic intervention.

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's laws to formally include dry needling as a recognized practice for both physical therapists and occupational therapists. It moves the requirement for dry needling from a prohibited activity to a regulated practice that requires specific training, experience, and registration. The bill also clarifies that neither profession needs a referral to provide therapy services.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of practice for both physical therapists and occupational therapists to explicitly include dry needling, whereas previously it was restricted or undefined in the statutes.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions of physical therapy and occupational therapy to explicitly include dry needling as a permitted practice.

REQUIREMENT

Created new registration requirements for physical therapists and occupational therapists who wish to perform trigger point dry needling.

Repealed previous sections that prohibited or restricted dry needling practices.

ELIGIBILITY

Established specific experience and training requirements, including 2 years of practice and a 304-hour course with supervised patient sessions.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed restrictions on occupational therapists regarding mental health therapy and clarified that no referral is needed for therapy services.

TECHNICAL

Changed terminology from 'person' to 'individual' throughout the definitions for consistency.

Dry Needling Amendments

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