(a) A licensed athletic trainer shall be approved by the Board before the licensed athletic trainer may perform dry needling as a specialized task.

(b) (1) The Board shall issue an approval to perform dry needling to a licensed athletic trainer who provides proof of completion of at least 80 hours of instruction in a continuing education course approved by:

(i) The National Athletic Trainers’ Association;

(ii) The Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer; or

(iii) The United States armed forces.

(2) Of the 80 hours of instruction required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, at least 40 hours of instruction shall be in the following course content areas:

(i) Theory and application of dry needling;

(ii) Dry needling technique, including spine and extremities;

(iii) Dry needling indications and contraindications;

(iv) Infection control, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogen Protocol, and safe handling of needles;

(v) Emergency preparedness and response procedures related to complications associated with dry needling; and

(vi) Appropriate documentation of dry needling.

(3) Of the 80 hours of instruction required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, at least 40 hours shall be practical, hands-on instruction in the application and technique of dry needling that is completed under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner who:

(i) Is approved to perform dry needling; and

(ii) Has practiced dry needling for at least 5 years.

(4) The instruction required under this subsection shall include an assessment of the licensed athletic trainer’s competency to perform dry needling that is performed by the instructor of the approved course.