The knowledge and skills needed to insert a needle into a patient's body requires at least a three and one half years of full time study at the graduate level and several hundred hours of practical clinical internship program under experienced and board certified professionals' supervision. In addition, before an acupuncturist can practice in at least 48 states of the United States of America, he/she has to pass the national board exams. 
The reasons for the above standards are not only to protect the patients, but also the profession. Therefore, for the patient's safety and the integrity of the acupuncture/ Traditional Chinese Medicine, I ask that you do not approve the proposal of allowing anyone who has not met the criteria for being a licensed acupuncturist to perform dry needling procedures. Thank you for your attention to his matter.