The citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia would benefit greatly by adding Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC's) to the list of licensed medical professionals that have dry needling privileges. ATC's have and extensive medical/allied health education and training curriculum under the NATA's Commision on Accreditation of Athletic Training Curriculum (CAATE). Because ATC's work under the auspices of a physician, these licensed medical professionals are already able to perform some invasive procedures, such as sutures. Dry needling would add to the ATC's capabilities in a manner that is safe for the public and also expands the number of clinicians that can help patients who need this service.

Denying ATC's the ability to perform dry needling restricts access to care and would unnecessarily burden patients by forcing them to search for other health professionals to perform the service.

Please support this amendment to add dry needling to the Commonwealth's many licensed ATC's.