MA H2415

Establishes a legal definition of "dry needling" or "trigger point acupuncture" as intramuscular therapy using sterile filiform needles to treat myofascial pain, distinct from traditional acupuncture techniques

Requires licensed health care professionals to complete at least 2 years of post-graduate professional experience before practicing dry needling

Mandates 500 didactic hours and 150 clinical hours of in-person training, plus passage of the CNT class and exam taught by CCAOM

Requires practitioners to obtain advanced orthopedic clinical certification, pass third-party competency examinations, and maintain malpractice insurance specifying acupuncture coverage

Mandates written patient consent, proper medical record documentation, and reporting of significant adverse events requiring follow-up medical attention