Do You Need a License for Reiki in Massachusetts?

Yes, under state law. The massage law does not restrict anyone who works with the human energy system, acupoints or Qi meridians within a profession that has established standards and ethics. Reiki is named in that exemption, and a state policy advisory dated December 13, 2017 confirms it.

The exemption holds only if your services are never called or implied to be massage or massage therapy. The law names no specific membership or certificate for the standards and ethics condition, and belonging to a Reiki association with a code of ethics helps show you meet it.

Yes. No state law addresses no-touch or distance energy work. It falls outside the massage definition, which covers systematic treatment of soft tissues, and the human energy system exemption covers it in any case. Your town's Board of Health is the main thing to check.

Not for the state Reiki exemption, which applies whether or not you are paid. The state defines a massage therapist as a licensee who gives massage for compensation, and unpaid massage of immediate family is exempt.

Some town rules turn on payment. Sherborn, for example, requires a Board of Health license for paid bodywork, and its definition names Reiki.

Only licensees may call themselves massage therapists or use the word massage in advertising. Ads may not use terms such as massage therapist, muscular therapist, myotherapist, masseur or masseuse. The exemption lets you use bodywork, bodyworker and bodywork therapist in your promotional materials.

Describe your sessions in terms of relaxation, balance and well-being.

Yes, and in Massachusetts this matters most. The state advisory says local boards of health may regulate fields that are not licensed as massage therapy. Sherborn's bodywork regulation includes affecting the human energy system, names Reiki and requires a Board of Health license for paid bodywork. Hanover's regulation names Reiki, requires a bodywork therapist permit and has no Reiki exemption.

Other towns with bodywork rules include Webster, Needham, Arlington, Methuen, Wakefield, North Attleborough, Southborough and Harwich. Contact your town's Board of Health before you practice.