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HB 165DELAWARESession 153State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Delaware authorizes physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and occupational therapists to practice dry needling with restrictions

Original title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRY NEEDLING.

Last action · August 31, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Kerri Harris and 5 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Delaware allows physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and occupational therapists to perform , subject to specific practice limits and mandatory s. Under the new law, these practitioners are strictly prohibited from holding themselves out as licensed acupuncturists unless they hold an active acupuncture license.

Why it matters

Expands the scope of practice for non-physician medical providers in Delaware, creating new clinical treatment options for patients while maintaining distinct professional boundaries with licensed acupuncture practitioners.

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

Physician assistants

They gain statutory authorization to perform dry needling provided they meet referral requirements.

Directly affected

Nurse practitioners

They are newly permitted to perform dry needling under specific statutory limitations.

Directly affected

Occupational therapists

They receive authorization to practice dry needling subject to physician referral rules.

Directly affected

Licensed acupuncturists

They are protected by title restrictions prohibiting other medical providers from holding themselves out as acupuncturists without proper licensure.

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

Who is authorized to practice dry needling under this law?

Physician assistants, occupational therapists, and nurse practitioners are authorized to practice .

Can these practitioners call themselves acupuncturists?

No, they may not hold themselves out as acupuncturists unless they hold a separate, valid license as an acupuncturist.

Is a doctor's referral required for dry needling under this Act?

Yes, may not be performed without a .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

11 actions

Aug 31, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Signed by Governor
Jun 23, 2026SenateFloor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
Jun 17, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 5 Favorable
Jun 11, 2026SenateIntroduced
Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
Jun 11, 2026HouseFloor
Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
Jun 11, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 2 to HB 165 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

Show 5 earlier actions

Jun 11, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 1 to HB 165 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
Jun 9, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 11 On Its Merits
Jun 9, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 2 to HB 165 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
May 19, 2026HouseCommittee
Amendment HA 1 to HB 165 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
May 15, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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