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.

5 star rating

Comprehensive and well organized

Derek Carroll

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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5 star rating

Dry Needling Extremities

Matthew Berman

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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5 star rating

Amazing course

Neal Johnson

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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5 star rating

Amazing Class!

Kyra Fisher

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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5 star rating

Course of the Year! A++++

Jake Schaake

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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5 star rating

Love This Course!

Stephanie Jansen

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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BECOME A CERTIFIED DRY NEEDLING PRACTITIONER

Improve Your Practice and Enhance Patient's Outcomes

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) program offers a patient-centered diagnosis-focused approach through our 52 hour dry needling course.

 The Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course is taught across Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Texas to chiropractors, physical therapists and pain management professionals to master dry needling and learn effective strategies to manage commonly encountered injuries, and pathologies seen in orthopedic and sport medicine and rehabilitation. 

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner curriculum is a 52 hour dry needling course pre-scheduled for two separate weekends.  During these weekends, participants learn how to dry needle various muscular, tendinous, and soft tissue structures they may encounter in presentations like the treatment for chronic low back pain, acute tendon pain, muscle strains,  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 current research, with a vast amount of clinical experience and pearls, allowing participants to master dry needling and feel confident to apply dry needling into their professional practice on Monday.

Upcoming Certified Dry Needling Practitioner Courses

DRY NEEDLING COURSES 2025

Why Choose the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner Course?

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course is a two-weekend pre-scheduled course delivering 52 hours of Dry Needling education to students like yourself, who want the support, resources, and experience necessary to become proficient in Dry Needling. 

Unlike some Dry Needling programs that only teach you how to needle as an individual modality — our courses are crafted for practitioners who need to be ready for any patient that walks into their clinic.  That means we'll show you how to effectively integrate dry needling with your adjustments, rehab programs and other soft tissue modalities you may already know. 

We believe efficiency is key in patient care—you must be proficient in assessing, treating, re-assessing and progressing your patients. To be a truly effective practitioner, it’s essential to combine the right needling techniques, adjustments, and exercises at the precise moment.

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course aims to cover all areas of the body, from the TMJ, the craniocervical, thoracic, and lumbo-pelvic regions all the way to the upper and lower extremities, including shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. By the end of the course you’ll be equipped to handle any muscle, tendon, or joint case with confidence.

Through our course, you will not learn Acupuncture.  You'll learn the principles of dry needling and musculoskeletal rehabilitation to enhance your clinical reasoning, and improve your patient's outcomes.

By the end of the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course you'll graduate with ample practice under the supervision of your instructor to help you be confident in your needling treatments.   Additionally, you'll have lifetime access to your course lectures, materials and technique videos through your online profile. 

Our Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course is led by a fitness-forward chiropractor dedicated to improving movement quality, enhancing patient outcomes and maximizing the effectiveness of every patient interaction.

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.