Report to review whether the Board of Physical Therapy is allowing licensed physical therapists to perform dry needling and whether the Board was allowing licensed physical therapists to perform auricular acudetox therapy.

This letter-report is a response to the Joint Committee on Government Organization and Operations' request that PERD review whether the Board of Physical Therapy is allowing licensed physical therapists to perform dry needling and auricular acudetox therapy. There is also concern that the Board may not require the individuals to post a certificate or license which indicates training in either modality. The Board is of the opinion that dry needling is within the scope of practice of a West Virginia licensed physical therapist; however, it does not offer dry needling training or certification, nor does it know how many are certified within the state. The Board reports that physical therapists do not perform acupuncture but they do perform manual techniques in auricular therapy.