FloridaFlorida directs board to set dry-needling standards for occupational therapists
Florida law directs the occupational therapy board to set dry-needling standards that include training, experience, and patient-session requirements.
What it does
The board must set minimum standards for occupational therapists who perform dry needling, including experience, training, and patient-session requirements. Patients must consent, and only authorized therapists may perform it.
If the board finds they are needed for patient safety, it must set extra training and supervision rules for occupational therapists who needle the head, neck, or torso.
Within existing resources, the Department of Health must report therapist numbers, geographic changes, and dry-needling medical incidents to legislative leaders.
Argument forSafety training and patient consent could help people make informed choices and reduce risks when occupational therapists perform dry needling.
Argument againstThe experience, training, and patient-session requirements could make it harder for some occupational therapists to offer dry needling.
More detail
The law directs the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to set minimum standards for occupational therapists who perform dry needling. The standards cover occupational therapists performing dry needling in Florida. The standards must include two years of licensed practice, 50 hours of board-approved face-to-face training, and 25 patient sessions. The sessions may be supervised by a qualified, experienced practitioner or completed while licensed as an occupational therapist in another state or the U.S. Armed Forces. Training must include safe needle handling, when needling is appropriate, and care after treatment. Patients must consent, and needling must be part of their written care plan. Dry needling may be delegated only to an occupational therapist authorized to perform it. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
The board must establish extra supervision and training requirements for needling the head and neck or torso if it finds them necessary for patient safety. The requirements would apply to occupational therapists who perform dry needling on the head, neck, or torso. The extra requirements depend on the board's judgment about patient safety. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
The Department of Health must report workforce and dry-needling safety information to the Senate president and House speaker. The report must cover occupational therapists in Florida, including the number performing dry needling and changes in therapist numbers by geographic area. The department must prepare the report within existing resources. It must include adverse medical incidents, as defined by the board, involving occupational therapists who perform dry needling. The report is due on or before December 31, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Chapter No. 2026-110Latest
- May 22Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 21Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 5Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5In Messages
- Mar 5CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 5Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 5Substituted for CS/SB 914
- Mar 5Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 5Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 26Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 25In Messages
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 2Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 12Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 12Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 111st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 11CS FiledMinor
- Feb 11Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 11Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee
- Feb 10Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Health & Human Services Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 6Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
- Jan 28Now in Health & Human Services Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Health Care Budget Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Reported out of Health Care Budget Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable by Health Care Budget SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 26Added to Health Care Budget Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 21Now in Health Care Budget Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 21Reported out of Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
- Jan 21Favorable by Health Professions & Programs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 16Added to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 5Now in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
- Jan 5Referred to Health & Human Services CommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Health Care Budget SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Health Professions & Programs SubcommitteeMinor
- 2025
- Dec 23FiledIntroduced
Healthcare