2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 45 - Professions and Occupations › Section 45:9-37.34j - Requirements of physical therapist.

45:9-37.34j Requirements of physical therapist.
3. a. A physical therapist may perform dry needling if the physical therapist meets all of the following requirements:
(1) possesses a doctorate in physical therapy from an accredited college or university or has otherwise been actively licensed as a physical therapist in this State since January 1, 2003;
(2) has no less than two years of active clinical experience in the treatment of patients as a licensed physical therapist in this State and holds a current, unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in this State;
(3) has a current CPR certification issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, or any other agency or organization approved by the board; and
(4) has obtained documentation of the successful completion of a dry needling continuing education and competency program approved by the board that satisfies subsections b. and c. of this section.
b. The board shall approve a dry needling continuing education and competency program if the program meets all of the following requirements:
(1) provides a minimum of 40 hours of academic instruction which is attended in person by the physical therapist and shall be completed by the physical therapist in no more than two years;
(2) provides the history and a current literature review of dry needling and evidence-based practice;
(3) covers pertinent anatomy and physiology;
(4) covers the choice and operation of dry needling supplies and equipment;
(5) provides knowledge of dry needling technique including indications, contraindications, and precautions for its use;
(6) provides knowledge of the risks and complications of dry needling;
(7) covers safe practice guidelines and generally accepted standards of practice, including clean needle techniques and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's bloodborne pathogens standard;
(8) provides knowledge of post-intervention care, including an adverse response or emergency;
(9) documents the successful completion of psychomotor and cognitive performance by means of practical and written assessments or examinations; and
(10) provides a minimum of 40 hours of practical hands-on instruction in the application and technique of dry needling under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physician pursuant to subsection c. of this section, which shall be completed by the physical therapist in no more than two years.
c. The dry needling continuing education and competency program, including the practical hands-on instruction required pursuant to paragraph (10) of subsection b. of this section, shall be taught by a licensed physical therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience in the performance of dry needling or by a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this State.
d. Following successful completion of the dry needling continuing education and competency program, including the practical hands-on instruction required pursuant to paragraph (10) of subsection b. of this section, a physical therapist shall complete 10 of the required minimum credits of continuing education and competency in each biennial license renewal period in board-approved programs in dry needling if the physical therapist chooses to continue to utilize such intervention on patients.
L.2021, c.382, s.3.