Certified Dry Needling Practitioner™ (CDNP)

expand your skills to meet patients needs.

  • Integrated Muscle and Joint Care

    Develop the skills to deliver safe and effective dry needling treatments to muscles, tendons and joints.

  • Become a CDNP

    Earn the title of Certified Dry Needling Practitioner when you successfully complete our 52 hour course

  • Lifetime Support

    Gain lifetime access to our community, monthly lectures, checklists, technique & treatment videos, and your instructor.

Upcoming Certified Dry Needling Practitioner Courses

DRY NEEDLING COURSES 2025

What Doctors Are Saying

Derek Carroll

5 star rating

“When searching for a dry needling course, I had several options that were close by, but none that were taught by chiropractors. When I found this course, I was pleased to find out that it was chiro taught, which I felt would give me a better under...”

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“When searching for a dry needling course, I had several options that were close by, but none that were taught by chiropractors. When I found this course, I was pleased to find out that it was chiro taught, which I felt would give me a better understanding of how it would fit into a chiropractic practice. I was NOT disappointed. The course was comprehensive, well organized, and clinical. I came out of the course feeling confident in my new abilities and ready to apply them Monday morning. It was well worth the travel from Colorado to St Louis. ”

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Matthew Berman

5 star rating

“I wish I was able to take this course 20 years ago! It was a great refresher anatomy class. I was hearing the names of muscles I haven't heard about in years. Now after performing DN on patients the past few weeks I only wish I took this course ...”

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“I wish I was able to take this course 20 years ago! It was a great refresher anatomy class. I was hearing the names of muscles I haven't heard about in years. Now after performing DN on patients the past few weeks I only wish I took this course sooner. My patients are getting much improvement of their muscle aches and pain. I am so happy to include DN in my arsenal of treatment options!!!”

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Neal Johnson

5 star rating

“Dr. Kaufmann is an incredibly talented chiropractor who really knows what he’s doing. There’s no one else I would’ve wanted to learn how to needle from and his clinical experience shows!”

“Dr. Kaufmann is an incredibly talented chiropractor who really knows what he’s doing. There’s no one else I would’ve wanted to learn how to needle from and his clinical experience shows!”

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Kyra Fisher

5 star rating

“This was an amazing experience. We learned so much using a hands on approach that will be easily applicable to patients in the future. This class was fast pace and a lot was covered! Highly recommend! ”

“This was an amazing experience. We learned so much using a hands on approach that will be easily applicable to patients in the future. This class was fast pace and a lot was covered! Highly recommend! ”

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Jacob Schaake

5 star rating

“What a great course, such much knowledge, the instructor was so knowledgeable in this field and willing to be versatile to ensure learning. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to get into needling!”

“What a great course, such much knowledge, the instructor was so knowledgeable in this field and willing to be versatile to ensure learning. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to get into needling!”

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Stephanie Jansen

5 star rating

“This has been an incredible learning opportunity. Not just on how to dry needle, but why dry needling can be used. Can not recommend it enough!”

“This has been an incredible learning opportunity. Not just on how to dry needle, but why dry needling can be used. Can not recommend it enough!”

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Why You Should NOT Choose The Certified Dry Needling Practitioner Course


You don't care to save money.

You don't care about your time .

You don't care to invest your time and money efficiently. 

You don't care about being efficient with your patient care.

You prefer to try and figure out when the next course will come around to finish your certification sometime next year.

Upcoming Certified Dry Needling Practitioner Courses

DRY NEEDLING COURSES 2025

Why Choose the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner Course?


80% of Certified Dry Needling Practitioner participants 
10x their investment in a 18 months. 

100% of Certified Dry Needling Practitioner participants
are fully certified within 6 weeks.
 

100% of Certified Dry Needling Practitioner participants
save on average 30% on their education.

100% of Certified Dry Needling Practitioner participants
are confidently treating the full body in 6 weeks. 


BECOME A CERTIFIED DRY NEEDLING PRACTITIONER

LEARN | APPLY | MASTER

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) program is a two-weekend prescheduled certification course that  offers a patient-centered, outcome-focused approach 

 The Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course has been developed for manual therapists like chiropractors, physical therapists and pain management professionals to master dry needling and learn effective strategies to manage commonly encountered conditions, injuries, and pathologies seen in orthopedic and sport medicine.

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner curriculum spans over 52 hours of dry needling education pre-scheduled for two separate weekends.  

Participants learn when, why and how to dry needle muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue structures in the treatment for chronic low back pain, acute tendon pain, muscle injuries,  Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD), headaches, shoulder impingement, and more.

The Certified Dry Needling Practitioner curriculum was developed by Dr. Thomas Kauffman DC, CSCS, CDNP USAW, CFL1, FRC with the goal to present the most current and efficient treatment methods in dry needling.

Accompanied with current research, and a vast amount of clinical pearls, our course allowing participants to master dry needling and feel confident to apply dry needling into their professional practice on Monday.

 

Advanced Dry Needling Courses

  • SmartCARE Education Dry Needling Students
  • SmartCare Education Face Dry Needling Certification
  • SmartCARE Education Dry Needling Certification

SmartCARE Education is recognized by the PACE program of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards.

 Physical Therapists may submit hours for individual state approval.

FAQ

  • What are the requirements to attend a Dry Needling Course?

    You must have an active license as a DC, DPT, OT, or AT at the moment, or be enrolled in an accredited college. Student verification is required to obtain a pre-licensed discount.

  • Do you have a student discount?

    We have a pre-licensed price for anyone enrolled in an accredited institution pursuing a degree in chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic training at the moment. Pleas e-mail us at: [email protected] with a copy of your unofficial transcript. Transcript must be within the last 15 days from the email.

  • Can I use this course for Acupuncture hours?

    No, Dry Needling and Acupuncture are very different modalities even if they use the same tool, and every state has written different legislation on them.

  • Is it really lifetime?

    Yes. Every course at SmartCARE Education comes with lifetime access to course updates. Course updates do not count as continuing education credits. If you need continuing education hours/credits you can purchase individual courses or save time and money with one of our membership.

  • Are all your courses PACE approved?

    Yes, all our courses have been PACE approved for continuing educations for Chiropractors. Keep in mind, not all states accept PACE approved courses.

  • I am a physical therapists, can I get CE hours?

    Yes, we have developed our curriculum to fit the requirement for physical therapy state boards. We do not have individual pre-approval, but you may submit your hours to your state board for credit.