HB 2070 — An Act amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, further providing for definitions, for training and license required and exceptions and for physical therapist assistant, education and examination, scope of duties and certification.

PRINTER'S NO.    2653

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2070
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY SCHLEGEL, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND ROWE,
        NOVEMBER 25, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
        DECEMBER 3, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), entitled
 2      "An act relating to the practice of physical therapy,"
 3      further providing for definitions, for training and license
 4      required and exceptions and for physical therapist assistant,
 5      education and examination, scope of duties and certification.
 6      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 7   hereby enacts as follows:
 8      Section 1.    The definition of "physical therapy" in section 2
 9   of the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the
10   Physical Therapy Practice Act, is amended and the section is
11   amended by adding a definition to read:
12      Section 2.    Definitions.--The following definitions shall
13   apply, when used in this act, unless otherwise expressed
14   therein:
15      * * *
16      "Dry needling" shall mean a physical intervention that uses a
17   filiform needle to stimulate trigger points and diagnose and
18   treat neuromuscular pain and functional movement deficits. The
19   term does not include the stimulation of auricular or any other
 1   points based upon areas of oriental medicine or the practice of
 2   acupuncture under the act of February 14, 1986 (P.L.2, No.2),
 3   known as the "Acupuncture Licensure Act."
 4      * * *
 5      "Physical therapy" means any of the following:
 6      (1)   The evaluation, examination and testing of individuals
 7   with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments,
 8   functional limitations and disabilities, other health-related or
 9   movement-related conditions, performed to determine a diagnosis,
10   prognosis and plan of treatment intervention within the scope of
11   this act or to assess the ongoing effects of intervention.
12      (2)   The performance of tests and measurements as an aid in
13   diagnosis or evaluation of function and the treatment of the
14   individual through the utilization of the effective properties
15   of physical measures such as mechanical stimulation, dry
16   needling, heat, cold, light, air, water, electricity, sound,
17   massage or mobilization-manual therapy.
18      (3)   The use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative
19   procedures, including training in functional activities, with or
20   without the utilization of assistive devices, for the purpose of
21   limiting or preventing disability and alleviating or correcting
22   any physical or mental conditions.
23      (4)   Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional
24   limitation and disability, including the promotion and
25   maintenance of fitness, health and wellness in populations of
26   all ages as well as engaging in administration, consultation,
27   education and research.
28      * * *
29      Section 2.   Section 4 of the act is amended by adding a
30   subsection to read:

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 1      Section 4.   Training and License Required; Exceptions.--* * *
 2      (a.1)   A licensed physical therapist may only perform dry
 3   needling upon the successful completion of a dry needling
 4   certification program approved by the board.
 5      * * *
 6      Section 3.   Section 9.1(c) introductory paragraph of the act
 7   is amended to read:
 8      Section 9.1.   Physical Therapist Assistant; Education and
 9   Examination; Scope of Duties; Certification.--* * *
10      (c)   A physical therapist assistant while assisting a
11   licensed physical therapist in the practice of physical therapy
12   shall only perform patient-related physical therapy acts and
13   services that are assigned or delegated by and under the
14   supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Such acts and
15   services of a physical therapist assistant shall not include
16   evaluation, testing, dry needling, interpretation, planning or
17   modification of patient programs. For purposes of this section
18   the term "supervision" means as follows:
19      * * *
20      Section 4.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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