Dry needling in Florida: the rules for physical therapists

Florida law lets PTs dry needle once they meet the board's standards in s. 486.117.

Allowedfor PTs

50 hours of face-to-face CE, 25 supervised patient sessions, and 2 years of licensed practicetraining before you start

Rules to know

The 50 hours must come from an accredited provider and cover theory, needle selection and safe handling (including biohazard waste), indications and contraindications, psychomotor skills, and post-treatment care. The instructor must confirm you can do it safely.
The 25 supervised sessions must be under a licensed PT who has dry needled for at least 1 year. Instead, 25 sessions done as a licensed PT in another state or the Armed Forces count.
Dry needling needs patient consent and must be in the documented plan of care. Only another qualified PT can do it; it can't be delegated.
The board may add more requirements for needling the head, neck or torso.

Official sources

A plain-language summary, last checked October 24, 2026. Dry needling rules change often and some states regulate it through board statements rather than law, so confirm with your board before you dry needle. OTs and athletic trainers have their own rules.

Dry needling courses in Florida

16 upcoming in-person courses. Make sure a course's hours and format meet Florida's rules before you register.

October 2026

Sat–Sun, Oct 24–25, 2026 · 2 days Dry Needling: Upper Body $995 · Miami ICE Physio· Onward MiamiDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling 2 (DN-2) $895 · Orange Park AAMT· Orange Park, FLDry Needling Details and registration

November 2026

Fri–Sun, Nov 6–8, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling 1 (DN-1) $895 · Boca Raton AAMT· Boca Raton, FLDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 6–8, 2026 · 3 days IDN Advanced Course $1,295 · Boca Raton Integrative Dry Needling· Baptist Health - Lynn Cancer InstituteDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 6–8, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling Level 2 (DN-2) $1,095 · 27 contact hrs · Orlando Master Dry NeedlingDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 20–22, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling 2 (DN-2) $895 · Fort Lauderdale AAMT· Fort Lauderdale, FLDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 20–22, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling (SFDN1) $1,295 · 27 contact hrs · Orlando Structure & Function· Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic InstituteDry Needling Details and registration

January 2027

Fri–Sun, Jan 8–10, 2027 · 3 days Dry Needling (SFDN1) $1,295 · 27 contact hrs · Clearwater Structure & Function· Carpenter Complex – Phillies Minor League Spring Training ComplexDry Needling Details and registration
Sat–Sun, Jan 9–10, 2027 · 2 days Dry Needling: Lower Body $995 · Miami ICE Physio· Onward MiamiDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Jan 15–17, 2027 · 3 days Dry Needling 2 (DN-2) $895 · Boca Raton AAMT· Boca Raton, FLDry Needling Details and registration

March 2027

Fri–Sun, Mar 19–21, 2027 · 3 days Dry Needling 1 (DN-1) $895 · Fort Lauderdale AAMT· Fort Lauderdale, FLDry Needling Details and registration

April 2027

Sat–Sun, Apr 24–25, 2027 · 2 days Dry Needling: Upper Body $995 · Oldsmar ICE Physio· Onward TampaDry Needling Details and registration

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Common questions

Can physical therapists dry needle in Florida?

Yes. Florida law lets PTs dry needle once they meet the board's standards in s. 486.117.

How much training do PTs need to dry needle in Florida?

50 hours of face-to-face CE, 25 supervised patient sessions, and 2 years of licensed practice.