Dry needling in Maine: the rules for physical therapists

Maine's PT board considers dry needling within PT scope and inherent to PT education. There's no law or rule setting training hours.

Allowedfor PTs

No set hours; the board recommends you assess whether you need post-graduate trainingtraining before you start

Rules to know

The board's 2018 guideline lists what training should cover: needle handling and palpation, anatomy, indications and adverse events, sterile technique (CDC or OSHA), waste disposal, patient positioning and monitoring.
PTs can't delegate dry needling to PTAs.

Official sources

Maine Board of Examiners in Physical Therapy: Recommended guideline for dry needling (September 14, 2018, PDF)

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 Maine

1 upcoming in-person course. Make sure a course's hours and format meet Maine's rules before you register.

January 2027

Sat–Sun, Jan 23–24, 2027 · 2 days Dry Needling: Upper Body $995 · Portland ICE Physio· Dirigo Physical TherapyDry Needling Details and registration

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Common questions

Can physical therapists dry needle in Maine?

Yes. Maine's PT board considers dry needling within PT scope and inherent to PT education. There's no law or rule setting training hours.

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

No set hours; the board recommends you assess whether you need post-graduate training.