HB 3824 (2025): Changes to Physical Therapy Scope of Practice
HB 3824, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2025, will make several changes to what physical therapists are allowed to do under Oregon law, once it goes into effect.
IMPORTANT: HB 3824 does not go into effect until July 1st, 2027. Until then, Physical Therapists may not implement any of the new areas of scope of practice, such as ordering imaging, performing dry needling, or any other new function before that effective date. Until that time, all current rules and statutes remain in effect.
The bill allows the Board to take actions before the 2027 effective date, including creating new rules and policies that match the new law, and the Board will soon be actively engaging in that process.
Because of the numerous changes to statute resulting from this bill, the Board anticipates a significant amount of administrative rulemaking over the next year. The Board plans to break out the rulemaking activities generally by sections of the bill and plans to establish several workgroups based on content areas. The work plan is currently being developed, and board staff will update the posted rulemaking calendar and send the schedule of planned activities and requests for participation to interested parties once available in July 2026.
If you are interested in being placed on the interested parties list for rulemaking related to HB 3824, please email physical.therapy@obpt.oregon.gov to be added.
HB 3824 - Section 5 - Dry Needling
Please note pursuant to the Governor's signing letter, Section 5 pertaining to Dry Needling will be scheduled toward the end of the activities related to the bill. The Board will coordinate with the Oregon Medical Board on the timing and to establish appropriate stakeholder listening sessions, workgroups, or rule advisory committees related to Section 5
so that there is
designated time and opportunity for all parties to fully participate.
Documents:
Governor's Signing Letter
Final text of HB 3824
Oregon Legislative Information - HB 3824