April 28, 2026 6 min read
Quick answer
- • Same needle, dramatically different training: 2,700+ hours (AP) vs 40–50 hours (chiropractic/PT dry needling in Florida).
- • Acupuncturists complete 660+ hours of biomedical and Clean Needle Technique training; dry-needling coursework typically covers a weekend or two.
- • For anything beyond a single trigger point — nerve entrapments, referred pain, chronic conditions — the scope and safety profile favor licensed acupuncture.
Florida's actual training numbers
A Florida Acupuncture Physician completes a 3-4 year master's-level program totaling 2,700+ classroom and clinical hours, plus national board exams (NCCAOM) and state licensure. Dry needling in Florida is practiced by chiropractors and physical therapists under a 40–50 hour continuing-education certificate — no board exam, no diagnostic scope for what is being needled.
Frequently asked
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?+
Dry needling and acupuncture use the same filiform needle but represent fundamentally different scopes of practice. Acupuncturists train 2,700+ hours in point selection, diagnosis, and safety; dry-needling providers train 40–50 hours in trigger-point application only.
Related pages at Acupuncture of West Florida
- Dry Needling vs Acupuncture (comparison landing page) — Full comparison with regulatory table
- About Dr. Kim Windschauer, AP — Credentials and training detail