HB 2364 — 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.    3145

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2364
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY RIVERA, SCHLEGEL, KHAN, CUTLER, HILL-EVANS,
        GUENST, HANBIDGE, PASHINSKI, NEILSON, SANCHEZ, BURGOS,
        GALLAGHER, MERSKI, PARKER, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND CURRY,
        APRIL 7, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, APRIL 8, 2026


                                    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
 1   term does not include the stimulation of auricular or any other
 2   points based upon areas of oriental medicine or the practice of
 3   acupuncture under the act of February 14, 1986 (P.L.2, No.2),
 4   known as the "Acupuncture Licensure Act."
 5      * * *
 6      "Physical therapy" means any of the following:
 7      (1)   The evaluation, examination and testing of individuals
 8   with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments,
 9   functional limitations and disabilities, other health-related or
10   movement-related conditions, performed to determine a diagnosis,
11   prognosis and plan of treatment intervention within the scope of
12   this act or to assess the ongoing effects of intervention.
13      (2)   The performance of tests and measurements as an aid in
14   diagnosis or evaluation of function and the treatment of the
15   individual through the utilization of the effective properties
16   of physical measures such as mechanical stimulation, dry
17   needling, heat, cold, light, air, water, electricity, sound,
18   massage or mobilization-manual therapy.
19      (3)   The use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative
20   procedures, including training in functional activities, with or
21   without the utilization of assistive devices, for the purpose of
22   limiting or preventing disability and alleviating or correcting
23   any physical or mental conditions.
24      (4)   Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional
25   limitation and disability, including the promotion and
26   maintenance of fitness, health and wellness in populations of
27   all ages as well as engaging in administration, consultation,
28   education and research.
29      * * *
30      Section 2.   Section 4 of the act is amended by adding a

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




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