As a dual-credentialed Physical Therapist and Licensed Athletic Trainer within the Commonwealth of VA, I strongly support including dry needling within the scope of practice for athletic trainers. Athletic trainers are licensed health professionals recognized by the AMA. Athletic trainers are educated at the graduate level. I have served as a Program Director of a CAPTE accredited DPT program and  a CAATE accredited MSAT program in Virginia.  The rigor of anatomy course preparation to be admitted into a DPT program and MSAT program are equivalent. Within DPT and MSAT programs, the anatomy instruction credits/content and rigor prepare each of these professional  graduates to succeed in the various dry needling CEU courses to then go on and practice this skill safely and effectively. 

Athletic trainers have extensive training in musculoskeletal rehabilitation for athletes and physically active professionals. Adding dry needling to the AT scope of practice improves access of their patients to receive the most up to date and evidence-based  comprehensive care.