Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 490-9-.05 - Dry Needling
(1) Dry needling is a skilled technique
performed by a physical therapist using filiform needles to penetrate the skin
and underlying tissues to affect change in body structures and functions for
the evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain,
movement impairments, and disability for preventative and therapeutic
purposes.
(2) Dry needling must be
performed by a licensed physical therapist who:
(a) Has consulted with an individual licensed
pursuant to Article 2 or 4 of Chapter 34 of Title 43; and,
(b) Is specifically trained and competent by
virtue of education and training to perform dry needling. Online study
for dry needling instruction, with the exception of OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens
Standards, will not be accepted as a demonstration of competence and
training.
(3) A
physical therapist has demonstrated specific and competent education and
training when the licensee has submitted the following documentation to the
Board:
(a) Proof of education in the OSHA
Blood Borne Pathogens Standard: and,
(b) At least one of the following:
1. Proof of graduation from an entry-level
physical therapy program that included dry needling instruction consisting of a
minimum of 50 hours total and a competency assessment of achievement in its
curriculum; or
2. Proof of
graduation from a post-graduate credentialed residency or fellowship program of
study that included dry needling instruction consisting of a minimum of 50
hours total and a competency assessment of achievement in its curriculum; or
3. Proof of documented, successful
completion of a didactic dry needling course of study consisting of a minimum
of 50 hours total and a competency assessment of achievement in its curriculum.
(4) Effective
July 1, 2018, to perform dry needling in the state of Georgia licensed physical
therapists and physical therapists applying for licensure must submit
documentation of dry needling education and training into the online recording
and reporting system approved by the Board.
(a) For the purposes of this requirement, the
Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy adopts the utilization of CE
Broker.
(b) Licensees and
applicants shall incur no additional costs from CE Broker for this
service.
(c) Every licensee or
applicant subject to the rules of the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy
shall be deemed to have given such person's consent to the Board and its
representatives to access their record retained within the online database for
the purposes of auditing and verifying completion of the requirements for dry
needling. Such person waives all objections to the admissibility of the record
in any proceedings or hearings before the board.
(5) At the time of license renewal, each
licensed physical therapist approved to perform dry needling shall attest that
he or she is practicing dry needling in the state of Georgia in accordance to
the rules and regulations of the Georgia State Board of Physical
Therapy.
(6) A violation of the
provisions outlined in this Board rule or a false attestation on the renewal
application is grounds for disciplinary action as determined by the
Board.
Notes
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