Committee advances bill setting training and scope for acupuncture and dry needling

Sen. Steele presented Senate Bill 411, a negotiated measure to clarify the scope and training requirements for acupuncture and dry needling in Georgia.

The bill distinguishes traditional acupuncture from dry needling performed by physical therapists and, if adopted, would permit occupational therapists to perform dry needling provided they complete the same additional hours and training required of physical therapists. Sen. Steele said the language was developed with the state medical licensing board, physical and occupational therapy groups, and acupuncturists after multiple study committees and stakeholder meetings.

Dr. Ben Braxley, a licensed physical therapist and president of the American Physical Therapy Association Georgia, told the committee the PT community was pleased with the compromise and supported the bill. "We're very pleased with this compromise language and are in support of seeing it move forward," Braxley said.

Members asked technical questions about licensing, supervision and whether the bill affects current licensing problems for constituents. The sponsor and committee members answered that the bill sets training minimums (for example, a stated minimum of 50 additional hours specific to dry needling for OTs) and aligns OT and PT training standards so both professions meet the same threshold for practice.

After brief discussion and public comment, the committee voice‑voted the bill as recommended to pass. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the hearing transcript.