1. A. A chiropractor with physical therapy privileges shall be in good standing before registering to perform dry needling.

2. B. The Board shall accept a dry needling course completed before May 18, 2020, if:

   1. (1) The same course, in substantially similar form, is sponsored by a continuing education provider approved by the Board; and
   2. (2) The chiropractor seeking to perform dry needling provides the Board with a certificate of completion of 3 hours of a recertification course in dry needling.

3. C. In order to perform dry needling, a chiropractor with physical therapy privileges shall complete a minimum of 80 hours of total instruction in the following content areas, including:

   1. (1) 60 hours of:

      1. (a) Academic coursework obtained through completion of a college program accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education, as part of the Doctor of Chiropractic program, including the following minimum requirements:

         1. (i) Foundations;
         2. (ii) Basic sciences;
         3. (iii) Clinical sciences; and
         4. (iv) Professional practice; or
      2. (b) Coursework required to sit for Part I, Part II, Part III, Physiotherapy, and Part IV of the examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; and

   2. (2) Board-approved coursework consisting of 20 hours to be done in a hands-on classroom setting, including but not limited to the following learning topics:

      1. (a) Philosophy and historical perspective of dry needling;
      2. (b) Indications, contra-indications, and qualifications for treatment;
      3. (c) Protocols, doctor and patient safety, usage of dry needling, and dry needling as a diagnostic tool;
      4. (d) Case management and jurisprudence; and

      5. (e) Direct, hands-on implementation and testing for competency in dry needling of:

         1. (i) Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic regions;
         2. (ii) Anterior and posterior thoracic and ribs;
         3. (iii) The upper and lower extremity;
         4. (iv) The face and head;
         5. (v) Technique; and
         6. (vi) Needle size and gauge appropriateness.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§3-101, 3-205(a), 3-307, 3-403, and 13-101, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 18, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 519)

Regulation .03A, C amended effective April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 467)

Regulation .04 amended effective April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 467)

Regulation .05A amended effective April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 467)