Illinois
Do You Need a License for Reiki in Illinois?
Hands-off and distance Reiki need no Illinois license. Touch-based Reiki is exempt by name from the Massage Therapy Practice Act as long as there is no intentional soft tissue manipulation, and you must never advertise using the word massage.
Can I offer hands-on Reiki in Illinois?
Yes. The Massage Therapy Practice Act says nothing in it prohibits practitioners whose work involves no intentional soft tissue manipulation. It names Reiki, spelled Reike in the statute, along with Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais and Therapeutic Touch.
Illinois defines massage as structured palpation or movement of the soft tissue of the body. The exemption depends on keeping your touch free of any intentional manipulation of muscle or tissue.
225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/10 and 57/25(e)
Can I offer hands-off or distance sessions?
Yes. Sessions without touch and remote sessions involve no soft tissue manipulation, so they fit the same exemption and fall outside the definition of massage. This guide did not review the Illinois Medical Practice Act, so avoid any claim to diagnose or treat disease.
225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/25(e)
Does it matter if I am paid?
Yes, for massage. People engaged in massage for compensation must be licensed, and compensation includes donations, contributions and gifts of money or anything of value. The Reiki exemption applies whether or not you charge.
225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/10 and 57/15
Which words and claims should I avoid?
Only licensees may use massage, massage therapy, massage therapist, licensed massage therapist, LMT or MT in advertising or promotional material. The last three were added in 2026. Leave all of them off your website and listings, and avoid diagnosing, treating or prescribing for disease.
225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/30
Before You Offer Sessions in Illinois
- Keep your touch light, with no intentional soft tissue manipulation.
- Leave massage, LMT and MT out of your advertising and listings.
- Describe sessions as relaxation, balance and well-being.
- Avoid any claim to diagnose or treat disease.
- Check whether your city regulates massage businesses through local licensing or zoning.
The Law Behind This Answer
- 225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/25, Massage law exemptions
- 225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/10, Massage law definitions
- 225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 57/15, Licensure requirements
- Illinois Public Act 104-0796, full text
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Massage Therapy
Recent changes. Public Act 104-0796, effective August 7, 2026, extended the Massage Therapy Practice Act to January 1, 2032 and added licensed massage therapist, LMT and MT to the protected terms. It left the Reiki exemption unchanged in substance.
Neighboring StatesThis page is general information, checked against Illinois law on October 31, 2026. It is not legal advice. For a firm answer on your situation, ask the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in writing or speak with a lawyer in your state.
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