Do You Need a License for Reiki in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota has no mandatory state massage license. Energy healing falls under the state's law on unlicensed complementary and alternative health care, which lists energetic healing, polarity therapy, healing touch and healing practices that use touch. The list does not name Reiki, and Reiki clearly fits within energetic healing and healing touch.

A new optional state registration for massage therapists was created in 2026. It exempts practitioners covered by the complementary and alternative health care law, as long as they do not use a protected title or imply that they are registered.

Yes. Chapter 146A covers energetic healing whether or not you touch the client, so hands-off and distance work follow the same rules as touch-based sessions. No license is needed, and the disclosure rules below apply to all of them.

Yes. Chapter 146A applies to anyone who charges for services or publicly holds themselves out as a complementary and alternative practitioner. Unpaid work that you do not advertise falls outside that definition.

Do not use doctor, Dr. or physician to describe your practice. The law also prohibits false or misleading advertising, conduct likely to deceive or harm the public, sexual contact with clients, failing to provide the Client Bill of Rights, and failing to recommend a licensed provider when a client likely needs one.

From January 1, 2028, the titles registered massage therapist, RMT, registered Asian bodywork therapist, RABT and similar titles implying registration are protected. Describe your work in terms of relaxation, balance and well-being.

Yes, if you charge or advertise. Before services, give each client a written Client Bill of Rights and post a copy in your office. It must include your name, title, business address and phone; your qualifications, with the statement in bold that the State of Minnesota has not adopted any educational and training standards for these practitioners; supervisor details if any; how to complain, with the state office's contact details; your fees and billing; and a plain-language summary of your theoretical approach.

It must also list client rights, such as courteous treatment, confidentiality, access to records, the right to refuse and freedom from retaliation. The client must sign a written acknowledgment of receipt before services. The statute sets no retention period, and keeping the signed copy is wise.

Yes. Many Minnesota cities, Minneapolis among them, license massage therapists or massage establishments, and some city definitions may catch bodywork or energy work. From July 1, 2028, state law preempts city licensing of massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists, though cities may still license establishments and run background checks on owners. Until then, check with your city and county.