While physical therapists may find benefit for their patients using dry needling techniques the current wording of the law does not clearly define dry needling, mandate educational hours or an independent body to oversee the education of such. 

There is no requirement for any specific training. There are no independent, agency-accredited vetted programs for “dry needling,” no standardized curriculum, no means of assessing competence of instructors in the field, and no independently administered competency exams.

Increased harm reduction, as well as patient expectations can be ensured by creating uniformity in the practice, as well as distinguishing it from the practice of traditional Oriental medicine.