Request for Practice Rulings
Practice rulings are binding determinations issued to individual licensees at the license holder’s request and are based upon specific factual situations provided by the license holder. They are published in the Indiana Register. Because rulings are based on a particular fact situation, only the license holder to whom the ruling was issued is entitled to rely on it. However, other licensees may rely on published rulings for informational purposes if they have substantially similar factual situations. In other words, if a license holder relies on a published ruling issued to another, the license holder is not protected should the PLA discover upon examination that the license holder’s fact situation is different in any material respect from that situation on which the original ruling was issued. Requests for rulings must identify the license holder. They may not be made anonymously.
Practice rulings only interpret a specific profession’s scope of practice. If PLA determines a request for a practice ruling was submitted for another purpose, it will deny the request without issuing any guidance. No guidance will be issued to any individual either involved in active administrative proceedings before a board or under investigation by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
Instructions:
- Submit a request form.
- When submitting a request form, you will be able to save your progress and resume at any time.
- After you have submitted your form, you will be sent a copy of your request form via email.
- Anyone who wishes to review a submitted form may do so by visiting https://in.accessgov.com/pla. Once logged into the system, you can click ‘Done’ and download the form and file(s) that were uploaded with the submission.
Comprehensive List of Practice Rulings
Pursuant to the requirements of IC 4-22-7-7, the table below provides a comprehensive list of the practice rulings that have been adopted by the PLA or the boards, commissions, and committees that are supported by the PLA. These rulings are also available for public inspection in the Indiana Register, and may be found in the Indiana Register by their designated Document Identification Number (DIN).
| Practice Ruling Title and Identification Number | Indiana Register Document Identification Number (DIN) | Adopting Agency, Board, Commission, or Committee Name | Date Originally Adopted | Date of Last Revision | Practice Rulings Repealed or Amended by this Ruling | Practice Ruling Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Ruling #2023-12-1 | 20240228-IR-842240083NRA | Board of Physical Therapy | 2/12/2024 | N/A | N/A | On March 23, 2023, the Indiana Board of Physical Therapy ("Board") promulgated a final rule regarding the practice of dry needling. The new rule requires physical therapists to obtain fifty (50) hours of specific education prior to practicing dry needling. The education requirements go into effect on June 30, 2024. On February 12, 2024, the Board voted to adopt Practice Ruling #2023-12-1, addressing whether physical therapists who have not fully completed the required dry needling education may provide dry needling services under the direct supervision of a qualified physical therapist who has undergone the dry needling education. A physical therapist may only practice dry needling either as part of authorized dry needling coursework or after completion of the education required 842 IAC 1-6-2(i). A physical therapist may not delegate dry needling services to another physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. |
| Practice Ruling #2023-12-2 | 20240313-IR-898240089NRA | Athletic Trainers Board | 2/20/2024 | N/A | N/A | The Indiana Athletic Trainers Board (“Board”) received a practice ruling request seeking clarity as to whether licensed athletic trainers are prohibited from assisting in surgical operating rooms when otherwise certified to do so. On February 20, 2024, the Board voted to adopt Practice Ruling #2023-12-1, addressing this question. The Board does not regulate conduct outside the scope of “athletic training.” See Ind. Code ยง 25-5.1-2-6(2). Accordingly, the Board cannot prohibit licensed athletic trainers from engaging in lawful activities outside the scope of “athletic training.” Surgical first assistants do not perform work within the scope of “athletic training.” Rather, their practice is governed by certifications from either NBSTSA or NCCSA. The Board cannot prohibit individuals certified to perform surgical assisting activities from doing so – regardless of whether those individuals are licensed as athletic trainers. |