Reiki Training with the Florida Reiki Association at Heartwood

For years, Reiki practitioners have debated the question of whether or not they are allowed to practice in public and charge for their services. Some argue that Reiki is a spiritual practice rather than a physical practice and that by becoming a minister (something you can do easily online) a practitioner is engaging in soul work rather than bodywork so they will be exempt from state rules. Others insist that if they don’t physically touch, Reiki can be allowed (and in some cases this is true, but not all.) Each state (and country) has its own rules and regulations, set by public health laws. It is not illegal to do Reiki on yourself or those close to you (without charge) but if your goal is to become a spiritual or energetic healer for others where you will provide Reiki treatments as a service, you will need to pursue the additional credentials required by your state to practice. Below is a list of current state laws, links and contact information if you wish to learn more.     

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Alabama Board of Massage Therapy 

 334-230-3999 

Technique Exemption
 • Massage Therapy Practice Act
 Board of Massage Therapists 

 (907) 465-2550 

 Alaska Sec. 08.61.080. Exceptions to application of chapter.

• Sec. 08.61.080.(6) person only performing techniques that do not involve contact with the body of another person;
• Sec. 08.61.080.(7) person only performing techniques that involve resting the hands on the surface of the body of another person without delivering pressure to or manipulating the person's soft tissues; 

Energy Field Exemption
[2] • Massage Therapy Practice Act Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy 

 (602)-881-2304 

 Arizona 32-4221. Licensure; persons and activities not required to be licensed

• 32-4221.B. This chapter does not apply to:
• 32-4221.B.6. When the customer is fully clothed, the practice of techniques that are specifically intended to affect the human energy field.

• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Rules and Regulations

Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy  

501-683-1448

Requires Unlicensed Disclosure • Health: Complementary and Alternative Healthcare Practitioners California Massage Therapy Council 

916-669-5336

Requires Unlicensed Disclosure • Massage Therapy Practice Act
 

• C.R.S. 6-1-724 Colorado Natural Health Consumer Protection Act   

Office of Massage Therapy Licensure

303-894-7800

Current legislative watch

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Massage Therapist Licensure 

860-509-7603

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Division of Professional Regulation 

302-744-4500

Requires
License • Massage Therapy Practice Act Florida Board of Massage Therapy 

850-245-4161

Current legislative watch

Touch Exemption
 • Massage Therapy Practice Act Georgia Board of Massage Therapy 

844-753-7825

Georgia § 43-24A-19. Exceptions

• 43-24A-19. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect, restrict, or prevent the practice, services, or activities of:
• 43-24A-19.(8) A person who uses touch to affect the energy systems,  polarity, acupoints, or Qi meridians, also known as channels of energy,  of the human body while engaged within the scope of practice of a  profession with established standards and ethics, provided that his or  her services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage  therapy;

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Professional and Vocational Licensing 

808-586-3000

Touch Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Idaho Board of Massage Therapy 

208-334-3233

 Idaho 54-4003.  EXEMPTIONS.

• 54-4003.(2)  Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit, prevent, or restrict:
• 54-4003.(2)(g)   The practice of any person in this state who uses touch to affect the energy systems, acupoints or qi meridians, or  channels of energy of the human body while engaged within the scope of  practice of a profession, provided that their services are not  designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices  include, but are not limited to, polarity, polarity therapy, polarity  bodywork therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, acupressure, jin shin do®, qi  gong, reiki and shiatsu.

Practice Exemption
 • Massage Therapy Practice Act Massage Licensing Board 

800-560-6420

  Illinois (225 ILCS 57/25) Sec. 25 Exemptions

• (225 ILCS 57/25) (e) Nothing in this Act prohibits practitioners  that do not involve intentional soft tissue manipulation, including but  not limited to Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Reike, and Therapeutic  Touch, from practicing.

Technique Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act State Board of Massage Therapy 

317-234-8800

Indiana IC 25-21.8-4-5 Scope of practice

• IC 25-21.8-4 Sec. 5. This article does not prohibit the following:
• IC 25-21.8-4 Sec. 5.(4) An individual’s  practice in one (1) or more of the following areas that does not involve  intentional soft tissue manipulation:
  (A) Alexander Technique. (B) Feldenkrais. (C) Reiki. (D) Therapeutic Touch. 

Touch Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Massage Therapy 

515-281-0254

  Iowa 152C.9 Exemptions.

• 152C.9 This chapter shall not apply to the following persons:
• 152C.9. 7. Persons engaged within the scope of practice of a  profession with established standards and ethics in which touch is  limited to that which is essential for palpitation and affectation of  the human energy system, provided that the practices performed or  services rendered are not designated or implied to be massage therapy.

Current legislative watch

No Statewide Acts
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Introduced     

Touch Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy 

502-782-8808

 Kentucky 309.352 Scope of KRS 309.350 to 309.364.

• KRS 309.350 to 309.364 shall not preclude:
• 309.352(6) Persons engaged within the scope of practice of a  profession with established standards and ethics in which touch is  limited to what is essential for palpation and affecting of the human  energy system, provided that their services are not designated or  implied to be massage or massage therapy. These practices include but  are not limited to polarity therapy;

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Massage Therapy    

May 2019 — Sec. 1. 32 MRSA c. 113-B, sub-c. 5

Practice Exemption
Requires Unlicensed Disclosure

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Massage Therapy Licensure 

207-624-8624

 Maine 32.127 §14307. EXEMPTIONS TO REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATION

• 32.127 §14307.2. Other exemptions. This chapter does not apply to  the activities and services of individuals who practice other forms of  tissue work exclusive of massage therapy, such as rolfing, Trager,  reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki and polarity, if those practitioners do not  use the title “massage therapist” or “massage practitioner,” unless they  choose to meet the requirements of this chapter.

• Massage Therapy Practice Act State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners 

410-764-2400

Current legislative watch

Practice Exemption
 • Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Registration for Massage Therapy 

617-727-1747

 Massachusetts Part I, Title XVI, Chapter 112, Section 228

• Part I, Title XVI, Chapter 112, Section 228(b) Nothing in this  section shall prevent or restrict the practice of a person who uses  touch, words or directed movement to deepen awareness of patterns of  movement in the body, or the affectation of the human energy system or  acupoints or Qi meridians of the human body while engaged within the  scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics,  but such services shall not be designated or implied to be massage or  massage therapy. Such practices shall include, but not be limited to,  the Feldenkrais Method; Reflexology; The Trager Approach; Ayurvedic  Therapies, Rolf Structural Integration, Polarity or Polarity Therapy;  Polarity Therapy Bodywork; Asian Bodywork Therapy that does not  constitute massage as defined in this chapter; Acupressure; Jin Shin Do;  Qi Gong; Tui Na; Shiatsu; Body-Mind Centering and Reiki. These exempt  practitioners may use the terms “bodywork”, “bodyworker” and “bodywork  therapist” in their promotional literature.

Practice Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Massage Therapy 

517-373-1820

 MI 333.17957 Massage therapy; license required; exceptions.

• 333.17957.(b) The affectation of the human energy system or acupoints or qi meridians of the human body while engaged within the  scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics  and as long as those services are not designated or implied to be  massage or massage therapy. These practices include, but are not limited  to, all of the following: (i) Polarity or polarity therapy. (ii) Asian  bodywork therapy. (iii) Reiki. (iv) Shiatsu.

Requires Unlicensed Disclosure  

• Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practices
(Chapter 146A)

Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice 

651-201-3721

Practice Exemption – excludes soft tissue contact
• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• FAQ – Rules

• FAQ – Expanded

Board of Massage Therapy 601-732-6038     

Mississippi Can I practice Reiki in Mississippi without a Massage Therapy license?

• YES. ONLY if you practice the modality of Reiki independent of any  other modality as no touch or manipulation of the client’s soft tissue  is involved.
• NO. If you are practicing Reiki with any other form / modality of  massage or bodywork, then a Mississippi massage therapy license is  required because the other modalities which involve touch or  manipulation of the client’s soft tissue is being performed. 10.3.2013

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Therapeutic Massage 

573-522-6277

Individual must seek and qualify for practice exemption • Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Practice Exemption Worksheet

Board of Massage Therapy 

406-841-2370

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Massage Therapy 

402-471-2117

Requires Unlicensed Dislosure • Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Wellness Services 
NRS 629.580

Board of Massage Therapists 

775-687-9955

Practice Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Advisory Board of Massage Therapy 

603-271-3608

New Hampshire Title XXX 328-B:10 Exemptions; Application of Chapter.

• 328-B:10 III. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent  or restrict the practice of any person in this state who uses energy or  superficial touch to affect the energy systems of the human body while  engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established  standards and ethics, provided that their services are not designated as  or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include,  but are not limited to, polarity therapy, therapeutic touch, Bowen  therapy, and reiki. 

Current legislative watch

Requires License • Massage and Bodywork Practice Act 

• Regulations

Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy 

973-504-6520

Requires Unlicensed Disclosure • Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Unlicensed Health Care Practice Act

Massage Therapy Board 

505-476-4622

Practice Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• FAQ

Office of Professions – Massage Therapy 

518-474-3817

  New York Massage Therapy Questions and Answers

• Page 38 Do persons who practice Reiki, the Alexander Technique, or the Feldenkrais Method require a license as a massage therapist?No.  But if persons practicing these techniques claim that they are  diagnosing or treating any human pain, disease, disorder or physical  condition, they must be licensed in a profession that is authorized to  diagnose or to provide treatment.

Technique Exemption
 • Massage Therapy and Bodywork Practice Act 

• Practices requiring licensure

Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy 

919-546-0050

 North Carolina Title 21 Chapter 30 Rules and Regulations

• .0203 EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSURE
• .0203(a) Persons who are utilizing certain therapeutic techniques  may claim exemption from licensure pursuant to G.S. 90-624 (6) or (7)  only by meeting one of the following criteria:
• .0203(a)(1) Such persons are practicing techniques that are defined  by national organizations that meet the criteria for exemption set forth  in either G.S. 90-624 (6) or (7); or
• .0203(a)(2) Such persons are practicing techniques that do not involve any contact with the body of the client; or
• .0203(a)(3) Such persons are practicing techniques that involve  resting the hands on the surface of the client’s body without delivering  pressure to or manipulation of the soft tissues.
• .0203(c) Pursuant to G.S. 90-623, such exempted practitioners may  not hold themselves out to be a massage and bodywork therapist; they may  not utilize or promote themselves or their services using such terms as  “massage, massage therapy, bodywork, bodywork therapy,” or any other  derivative term that implies a soft tissue technique or method.

Practice Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Century Code

Board of Massage 

701-667-9378

 North Dakota 43-25-04. Exemptions.

• 43-25-04. Exemptions.
  The following persons are exempt from this chapter:
• 43-25-04.6. Any individual practicing healing by manipulating the  energy field or the flow of energy of the human body by means other than  the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body, provided that  the individual’s services are not designated or implied to be massage or  massage therapy. For purposes of this subsection, a light touch or tap  is not a manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body.

• Massage Therapy Practice  Medical Board – Massage Licensing Division 

614-466-3934

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Advisory Board on Massage Therapy 

405-521-2441

Requires Credentialing
• Massage Therapy Practive Act 

• Administrative Rules

Board of Massage Therapists 

503-365-8657

Oregon Board of Massage Therapists Administrative Rules 334-010-0027.

• 334-010-0027
  Exempt Practices
• (1) Practitioners exempt from the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists licensing authority are defined as practitioners who:
• (1)(a) Do not claim expressly or implicitly to be massage therapists and who limit their work to the practice of:
  • (1)(a)(A) Using touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness  of existing patterns of movement and suggest new possibilities of  movement, as defined per 687.031(1)(j)(i). Examples include the  Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education as defined on May 16, 2011, by  the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America and The Trager® Approach as  defined on May 16, 2011, by the United States Trager® Association; and  Registered Practitioners of Ortho-Bionomy® as defined on December 28,  2012 by the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International; or
  • (1)(a)(B) Using minimal touch over specific points on the body to  facilitate balance in the nervous system, as defined  per 687.031(1)(j)(ii). An example includes Bowenwork® and/ or the Bowen  Technique as defined on May 16, 2011 by the Bowenwork Academy USA; or
  • (1)(a)(C) Using touch to affect the energy systems or channels of  energy of the body, as defined per 687.031(1)(j)(iii). An example  includes Polarity Therapy as defined on May 16, 2011 by the American  Polarity Therapy Association; and
• (1)(b) Hold an active certification from a National or International professional organization or credentialing agency that:
  • (1)(b)(A) Requires a minimum level of training specific to their  discipline, demonstration of competence and adherence to an approved  scope of practice and ethical standards;
  • (1)(b)(B) Maintains disciplinary procedures to ensure adherence to the requirements of the organization or agency; and
• (1)(c) Provide contact information in the practitioner’s place of  business for any organization or agency that has certified the  practitioner.
• (2) It is the exempt practitioner’s responsibility to insure they  meet the criteria for being exempt and only practice within their exempt  scope of practice. Practitioners may be subject to discipline by the  Board if they:
  • (2)(a) Refer to themselves or imply they are a massage therapist;
  • (2)(b) Practice outside of the exempt scope of practice;
  • (2)(c) Practice without an active certification from a National or  International professional organization or credentialing agency; or
  • (2)(d) Fail to provide contact information in the practitioner’s place  of business for any organization or agency that has certified the  practitioner.
  • (3) The State Board of Massage Therapists has the authority to verify a  practitioners claimed exemption from licensure of ORS 687 under  subsection (1)(j) of section 687.031. Verification may include, but is  not limited to, consultation with the
  practitioners certifying organization or agency.
  • (4) Disciplines and/or Organizations seeking to be named in the  exemption shall contact the Board of Massage Therapists to request a  review.
  Stat. Auth.: ORS 687, SB 454
  Stats. Implemented: ORS 687.031 

Practice Exemption
• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Massage Therapy 

717-783-7155

 Pennsylvania Massage Therapy Practice Act

• Section 13. Other professions.
• Nothing in this act shall be construed as preventing, restricting or requiring licensure of any of the following activities:
• Section 13.(6) The practice of an individual who uses touch to  affect the energy systems, acupoints, Qi meridians or channels of energy  of the human body while engaged within the scope of practice of  a profession with established standards and ethics. Such practices  include acupressure, Asian bodywork therapy, polarity therapy bodywork,  quigon, reiki, shiatsu and tui na.

Unlicensed Practice Protected • Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Unlicensed Health Care Practices

Department of Health – Massage Therapy    

Touch Exemption
• Massage and Bodywork Practice Act Massage and Bodywork Panel 

803-896-4588

 South Carolina INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MASSAGE PRACTICE ACT

• Frequently Asked Questions
• D. Exemptions from Licensure
  The Department considers exempt those persons engaging in a profession  with established standards and ethics in which touch is limited to that  which is essential for affecting the human energy system, provided that  their services are not within the scope of practice of massage/bodywork  therapy as defined. Further, their services cannot be designated or  implied to be massage or massage/bodywork therapy as defined.

• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Rules

Board of Massage Therapy 

605-224-1721

Technique Exemption –  excludes soft tissue contact
• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Reiki and Energywork Policy Statement

Board of Massage Licensure 

615-253-2111

Tennessee POLICY – TENNESSEE MASSAGE LICENSURE BOARD – REIKI AND ENERGY WORK.

• The Board has been asked whether Reiki or other “energy work”  (including but not limited to “healing touch therapy,” “quantum touch  therapy,” etc.) constitutes the practice of massage in Tennessee. It is  the Board’s opinion that any technique that does not include any  touching of the body does not meet the definition of massage in  Tennessee.
• However, the Board is aware that Reiki and other “energy work” often  involves the practitioner touching the client’s body and manipulating  the client’s soft tissues through various techniques. It is the Board’s  opinion that any technique that does include such soft tissue  manipulation constitutes the practice of massage in Tennessee, and the
  practitioner should therefore be licensed by the Board unless otherwise exempt pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-18-110.
  Adopted by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board on February 6, 2017 

• Massage Therapy Practice Act 

• Administrative Rules

Massage Therapy Licensing Program 

512-463-6599

• Massage Therapy Practice Act DOPL Massage Therapy 

801-530-6628

No Statewide Acts     

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Nursing 

(804) 367-4515

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Board of Massage Therapy 

800-525-0127

• Massage Therapy Practice Act Massage Therapy Licensure Board 

304-558-1060

Current legislative watch

Requires Credentialing
• Massage and Body Therapy Practice Act Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board 

608-266-2112

 Wisconsin Chapter 460 Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy

• Section 19. 460.03 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
• 460.03 (2m) (a) A person who does any of the following and who satisfies the requirements of par. (b):
  1. Uses touch, words, and directed movement to deepen a client’s  awareness of his or her existing patterns of movement and to suggest to  the client new patterns of movement.
  2. Uses touch to affect the energy systems of the human body.
  3. Uses touch and education to effect change in the structure of the  body while engaged in the practice of structural integration.
• (b) The person is recognized by or meets the established standards  of either a professional organization or credentialing association that  recognizes a person in a practice after that person demonstrates an  adequate level of training and competency and adherence to ethical  standards.
• (c) A person who is exempt from licensure under this subsection may  use the terms “bodywork,” “bodyworker,” and “bodywork therapy” to  identify his or her practice.

No Statewide Acts