In September 2011, the State Board of Physical Therapy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued a statement that “dry needling is not legal to perform as a physical therapist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”.

The President of the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association opposed the ruling in October 2011, as the PT Board has no legal authority to issue such advisory opinions or pre-approve conduct.

To date, whether dry needling is within the scope of PT practice in Pennsylvania remains undetermined.