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HB 867

Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adam Anderson

Florida now allows licensed occupational therapists to perform dry needling, with defined training, standards, and safety requirements.

Chapter No. 2026-110
#regulationofprofessionsandoccupations
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Bill Summary · HB 867

Summary of HB 867 (Session 2026) – Florida

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes and regulates the practice of dry needling by occupational therapists in Florida.
  • It aims to establish clear scope, credentialing, and standards to allow licensed occupational therapists to perform dry needling when treating patients, subject to defined qualifications and practice requirements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization of Practice
    • Allows occupational therapists to perform dry needling as part of patient treatment within the scope of occupational therapy.
  • Credentialing and Training
    • Establishes minimum education, training, and competency requirements for occupational therapists to perform dry needling.
    • May include specified coursework, clinical supervision, or demonstrated proficiency as prerequisites.
  • Standards of Practice
    • Sets procedural standards for dry needling, including indications, contraindications, infection control, needle selection, needle handling, and documentation.
    • Likely requires adherence to evidence-based guidelines and professional ethics applicable to occupational therapy.
  • Safety and Patient Care
    • Implements safety measures to protect patients, including informed consent, risk disclosure, and documentation of procedures.
    • Addresses adverse event reporting and post-procedure monitoring.
  • Regulatory and Oversight
    • Defines the regulatory framework for professional discipline, scope of practice limits, and enforcement mechanisms for violations.
    • May designate oversight by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy or a related regulatory body, with potential penalties for noncompliance.
  • Implementation Timeline
    • The bill includes a timeline for implementing new requirements, including effective dates for credentialing, training standards, and enforcement.
  • Interaction with Other Professions
    • clarifies that dry needling performed by occupational therapists is within their scope when meeting the established standards, and may interact with other licensed professionals who perform similar procedures.

Who/what is affected

  • Licensees: Licensed occupational therapists who may wish to perform dry needling in clinical practice.
  • Employers: Medical facilities, clinics, and other entities employing occupational therapists must ensure staff meet the new training and credentialing requirements.
  • Regulatory Bodies: The Florida Board of Occupational Therapy (or corresponding regulatory authority) to enforce the new standards and handle discipline.
  • Patients: Individuals receiving occupational therapy services, who may have access to dry needling by trained professionals under defined safety and consent guidelines.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Referral and Committee Process: Passed through multiple health-related committees with favorable reports and subcommittee reviews.
  • Floor Action: Advanced through second and third readings, with a substitute version substituting for SB 914 at one point.
  • Final Status: Passed the Legislature and was transmitted to the Governor, who signed and approved the bill; Chapter No. 2026-110 issued on May 26, 2026, indicating enacted status.
  • Effective Date: The enacted date suggests immediate or near-term implementation, with subsequent dates likely established for specific provisions (education/training deadlines, regulatory rule changes, etc.).

Notable procedural history

  • File date: December 23, 2025; formal introduction and progression through Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee, Health Care Budget Subcommittee, Health & Human Services Committee.
  • Substantial bipartisan support indicated by multiple committee approvals and the final favorable rollups.
  • Governor’s action: Approved and signed, finalizing enactment as Chapter No. 2026-110.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to specific readers (e.g., practitioners, patients, clinic administrators) or pull out direct statutory references and potential fiscal impacts once the final bill text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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