Dry needling is acupuncture without acupuncture training, supervised practice and license.  It is also a public safety issue, and the risks are great.

Dry needling is outside the scope of Physical Therapy practice and standards for dry needling are nonexistent. The Board of Physical Therapy has no legal authority to expand the physical therapy scope of practice to include dry needling; and any attempt to do so would clearly violate state law. 

There are claims that dry needling is distinct from acupuncture.  It is, however, the practice of acupuncture without standards for the practitioner.  It is irresponsible to certify Physical Therapists to do dry needling unless they are certified acupuncturists.