SB3560 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 18054 AAS 31493 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3560

Introduced 2/5/2026, by Sen. Michael E. Hastings

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 5/4.5
225 ILCS 75/3.7
225 ILCS 90/1.5

Amends the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, and the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. In provisions concerning the use of dry needling, provides that "dry needling", also known as intramuscular therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (rather than a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Provides that "dry needling" does not include the teaching or application of acupuncture in accordance with traditional and modern practices of East Asian medical theory (rather than the teaching or application of acupuncture described by the stimulation of auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation leads, or other acupuncture theory).

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act is amended by changing Section 4.5 as follows:

(225 ILCS 5/4.5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 4.5. Use of dry needling.

(a) For the purpose of this Act, "dry needling", also known as intramuscular therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Dry needling may apply theory based only upon Western medical concepts, requires an examination and diagnosis, and treats specific anatomic entities selected according to physical signs. "Dry needling" does not include the teaching or application of acupuncture in accordance with traditional and modern practices of East Asian medical theory described by the stimulation of auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation leads, or other acupuncture theory.

(b) An athletic trainer licensed under this Act may only perform dry needling after completion of requirements, as determined by the Department by rule, that meet or exceed the following: (1) 50 hours of instructional courses that include, but are not limited to, studies in the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system, the anatomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic pain, and referred pain, myofascial trigger point theory, and universal precautions; (2) completion of at least 30 hours of didactic course work specific to dry needling; (3) successful completion of at least 54 practicum hours in dry needling course work; (4) completion of at least 200 supervised patient treatment sessions; and (5) successful completion of a competency examination. Dry needling shall only be performed by a licensed athletic trainer upon referral.

(Source: P.A. 102-307, eff. 1-1-22.)

Section 10. The Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act is amended by changing Section 3.7 as follows:

(225 ILCS 75/3.7)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)

Sec. 3.7. Use of dry needling.

(a) For the purpose of this Act, "dry needling", also known as intramuscular therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Dry needling may apply theory based only upon Western medical concepts, requires an examination and diagnosis, and treats specific anatomic entities selected according to physical signs. "Dry needling" does not include the teaching or application of acupuncture in accordance with traditional and modern practices of East Asian medical theory described by the stimulation of auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation leads, or other acupuncture theory.

(b) An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed under this Act may only perform dry needling after completion of requirements, as determined by the Department by rule, that meet or exceed the following: (1) 50 hours of instructional courses that include, but are not limited to, studies in the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system, the anatomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic pain, and referred pain, myofascial trigger point theory, and universal precautions; (2) completion of at least 30 hours of didactic course work specific to dry needling; (3) successful completion of at least 54 practicum hours in dry needling course work; (4) completion of at least 200 supervised patient treatment sessions; and (5) successful completion of a competency examination. Dry needling shall only be performed by a licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant upon referral.

(Source: P.A. 102-307, eff. 1-1-22.)

Section 15. The Illinois Physical Therapy Act is amended by changing Section 1.5 as follows:

(225 ILCS 90/1.5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031)

Sec. 1.5. Dry needling.

(a) For the purpose of this Act, "dry needling", also known as intramuscular manual therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Dry needling may apply theory based only upon Western medical concepts, requires an examination and diagnosis, and treats specific anatomic entities selected according to physical signs. Dry needling does not include the teaching or application of acupuncture in accordance with traditional and modern practices of East Asian medical theory described by the stimulation of auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation leads, or other acupuncture theory.

(b) A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed under this Act may only perform dry needling after completion of requirements, as determined by the Department by rule, that meet or exceed the following: (1) 50 hours of instructional courses that include, but are not limited to, studies in the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system, the anatomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic and referred pain, myofascial trigger point theory, and universal precautions; (2) completion of at least 30 hours of didactic course work specific to dry needling; (3) successful completion of at least 54 practicum hours in dry needling course work; (4) completion of at least 200 supervised patient treatment sessions; and (5) successful completion of a competency examination. Dry needling shall only be performed by a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant.

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 104-154, eff. 1-1-26.)