Section 64B2-17.004 - [Effective 12/29/2024] Dry Needling(1) For purposes of determining compliance with this rule and the applicable statutory provisions relating to the practice of dry needling by Chiropractic Physicians, the words and phrases listed below are defined in the following manner: (a) "Adequate training to be eligible to perform dry needling" means that the continuing education pursuant to Section 460.4085(1)(a), F.S., includes forty (40) hours instruction in the following subject areas: 1. No less than three (3) hours on the theory of dry needling;2. No less than two (2) hours on the selection and safe handling of needles and other apparatus or equipment used in dry needling, including instruction on the proper handling of biohazardous waste;3. No less than four (4) hours on the general indications and contraindications for dry needling, as well as complex anatomical and safety considerations of the cranio-facial and peripheral nervous systems for dry needling of the head, neck, and torso;4. No less than ten (10) hours on the psychomotor skills needed to perform dry needling, including tissue palpation, needle insertion, and needle extraction; and5. No less than four (4) hours on the postintervention care, including adverse responses, adverse event recordkeeping, and any reporting obligations.(b) "Adverse medical incident" means an event over which the Chiropractic Physician could exercise control and which is associated in whole or in part with the performance of dry needling, rather than the condition for which dry needling occurred, and which resulted in any prolonged and/or emergent neurological, pulmonary, vascular, or musculoskeletal condition that required the transfer of the patient to a hospital and/or referral to a physician for treatment of the resulting condition.(c) "Supervision" means observation of the dry needling procedure by a licensed chiropractic physician, allopathic or osteopathic physician, or physical therapist holding a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree who has actively performed dry needling for at least 1 year, as required pursuant to Section 460.4085(1)(b), F.S. The observation may be in person or via synchronous telehealth as defined in Section 456.47, F.S.(2) The Board shall certify any chiropractic physician who meets the minimum standards of practice and requirements as established in Section 460.4085, F.S.(3) In addition to the requirements noted herein, the continuing education must include a determination by the instructor, that the Chiropractic Physician being trained in dry needling demonstrates the requisite competency and psychomotor skills to safely perform dry needling; and has completed 10 patient sessions of dry needling under one of the following circumstances:(a) While licensed as a Chiropractic Physician in another state or while serving as a Chiropractic Physician in the United States Armed Services; or(b) Under supervision as defined herein, where the supervisor has documented that the supervised physician has met the supervision and competency requirements and needs no additional supervised sessions to perform dry needling. It is the responsibility of the supervised physician to maintain all documents.(4) Pursuant to s. 460.4085, F.S., the Chiropractic Physician may provide proof of completion of coursework that substantially complies with the training requirements established herein which may be used to satisfy the hourly requirements of Section 460.4085(1)(a), F.S. on an hour per hour basis. However, in no case may the requirement to pass a written and practical examination be waived.(5) A Chiropractic Physician shall not delegate performance of dry needling to a certified chiropractic physician assistant, or any other person who is not a Chiropractic Physician authorized to perform dry needling.(6) A Chiropractic Physician shall not perform dry needling without the patient's consent documented in the patient's medical record.(7) An adverse medical incident that is a direct result of chiropractic treatment involving dry needling shall be reported to the Board within 15 days of the incident.(9) The requirement that dry needling may not be delegated to any other person other than a chiropractic physician, does not limit the chiropractic physician from referring a patient to or otherwise allowing another individual to perform dry needling who is otherwise authorized to perform dry needling pursuant to their license and authorized scope of practice.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 64B2-17.004
Rulemaking Authority 460.405, 460.4085 FS. Law Implemented 460.4085 FS.
Adopted by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 244, December 17, 2024 effective 12/29/2024.