Do You Need a License for Reiki in Arkansas?

Arkansas defines massage as the treatment of soft tissues, plus any hands-on bodywork rising to the level of regulated massage, and the statute has no Reiki exemption. At its September 16, 2024 meeting, the Massage Therapy Technical Advisory Committee discussed Reiki. Its minutes record that Reiki is a spiritual healing art that falls outside massage therapy under state law, that massage involves touching with force, and that there is no license for Reiki, so anyone can teach, practice and charge for it.

These are meeting minutes, with no formal rule, declaratory ruling or recorded vote behind them. Keep your touch light, with no rubbing or pressing of soft tissue.

Yes. The massage law covers soft tissue treatment, so it does not reach hands-off or distance work, and the committee's view is that Reiki falls outside massage law entirely. The medical practice act covers holding yourself out as able to diagnose or treat disease and recommending treatment with the intent of receiving a fee, so avoid medical claims.

Yes, for massage. Arkansas makes it unlawful to engage professionally in massage therapy for payment, barter, donation or exchange without a license, and the medical practice act also turns on intent to receive a fee. The committee's minutes say anyone can charge for Reiki.

Without a license you may not use or advertise the titles massage therapist, master massage therapist, massage therapy instructor, massage practitioner, myotherapist, masseur, masseuse or massage technologist, or any derivation of them. Bodywork is not on the list. A violation is a misdemeanor, and you should avoid any claim to diagnose or treat disease.