Colorado authorizes occupational therapists to perform dry needling starting September 1, 2027

Original title: Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists

Last action · April 2, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Brandi Bradley and 17 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Occupational therapists in Colorado are authorized to perform starting September 1, 2027, provided they complete specialized training, meet established clinical prerequisites, and obtain written from patients.

Why it matters

Expands the scope of practice for occupational therapists in the state while requiring specific educational credentials and patient disclosure forms.

Background

Occupational therapists help patients recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working. context
Dry needling is a therapeutic treatment technique used by various rehabilitation professionals to manage neuromusculoskeletal pain. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Occupational therapists

Must complete required training, meet clinical prerequisites, and obtain patient informed consent before performing dry needling starting September 1, 2027.

Directly affected

Patients receiving occupational therapy

Must provide written informed consent that includes information on risks, benefits, and practitioner credentials prior to receiving dry needling.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can occupational therapists begin performing dry needling?

Occupational therapists are authorized to perform on and after September 1, 2027.

What requirements must an occupational therapist meet to perform dry needling?

They must have documented competency, complete a specific course of study meeting clinical prerequisites, and obtain written from the patient.

What must be included in the patient informed consent form?

It must include information on potential benefits and risks of and explicitly state that the practitioner is not an acupuncturist.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

13 actions

Apr 2, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Governor Signed
Mar 26, 2026SenateFloor
Signed by the President of the Senate
Mar 26, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
Mar 25, 2026HouseFloor
Signed by the Speaker of the House
Mar 17, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Mar 16, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

Show 7 earlier actions

Mar 11, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
Feb 20, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
Feb 18, 2026HouseFloor
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Feb 17, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
Feb 9, 2026House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

Version history

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