This idea is really concerning for anyone in the healthcare profession, no matter what State you live or practice in!  Word is out and I am here to oppose ATC's performing dry needling UNLESS THEY RECEIVE THE PROPER EDUCATION AND TAKE NATIONAL BOARD EXAMS anD PASS STATE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

Plain and simple: acupuncture and dry needling are both INTERNAL MEDICINE. The minute you penetrate the surface of the skin with any instrument, you are practicing internal medicine. And anyone performing this should absolutely be required to receive extensive training in the medical sciences as well as these specific techniques themselves. 

I work with an acupuncturist who was required to take "Cadaver Lab" for at least one semester of her Master's degree! This is fantastic -- she knows the correct depth and angle for needle placement so as to avoid any injury to internal organs or nerves when she's inserting the needles. 

There is a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation out there about these practices. Please make an effort to educate yourselves before supporting a petition like this! And please do NOT allow this to take effect in the Commonwealth of Virginia.