Montana
Do You Need a License for Reiki in Montana?
Hands-off and distance energy healing needs no Montana license. Touch-based Reiki is exempt from massage licensing if you are recognized by, or meet the standards of, a professional organization that certifies Reiki on training, competence and ethics, and you never call or imply it is massage therapy.
Can I offer hands-on Reiki in Montana?
Yes, on two conditions. Montana defines massage therapy as structured touch, pressure, positioning or holding applied to the soft tissues. The law exempts anyone who uses touch to affect the human energy systems, energy meridians or energy fields, and it names reiki, polarity bodywork therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, acupressure, jin shin do, qigong, shiatsu and tui na.
First, you must be recognized by, or meet the requirements of, a professional organization or credentialing agency that certifies the practice based on minimum training, demonstrated competence and ethical standards. Second, your services may not be called or implied to be massage therapy. Keep proof of your Reiki training and certification.
Montana Code Annotated 37-33-403(4) and 37-33-404(5)
Can I offer hands-off or distance sessions?
Yes. The massage law reaches only touch to soft tissue, so no-touch and distance work fall outside it. The Medical Practice Act defines practicing medicine broadly, as diagnosing, treating or correcting any human condition by any means, including telemedicine, or holding yourself out as able to.
That act matters only if you diagnose or claim to treat medical conditions, so keep your descriptions to relaxation, balance and well-being.
Montana Code Annotated 37-3-102
Does it matter if I am paid?
No. Neither the massage license requirement nor the medical practice definition mentions payment. Practicing or claiming to practice massage therapy needs a license whether or not you are paid.
Montana Code Annotated 37-33-501
Which words and claims should I avoid?
Without a license you may not use massage therapist, licensed massage therapist, L.M.T., masseur or masseuse, or any words or letters implying a license. To keep the Reiki exemption, never call or imply that your work is massage therapy.
Under the Medical Practice Act, do not diagnose, claim to treat or correct medical conditions, or use titles such as M.D.
Montana Code Annotated 37-33-501(2)
Before You Offer Sessions in Montana
- Keep proof of your Reiki training and certification on file.
- Check that your certifying organization sets minimum training, competence and ethical standards.
- Never call or imply that your work is massage therapy.
- Describe your sessions in terms of relaxation, balance and well-being, with no claim to diagnose or treat.
- Check whether your city or county has its own rules.
The Law Behind This Answer
- Montana Code Annotated 37-33-404, Exemptions
- Montana Code Annotated 37-33-403, Definitions
- Montana Code Annotated 37-33-501, License required and title protection
- Montana Code Annotated 37-3-102, Medical Practice Act definitions
- Montana Board of Massage Therapy, FAQ
This page is general information, checked against Montana law on October 31, 2026. It is not legal advice. For a firm answer on your situation, ask the Montana Board of Massage Therapy at the Department of Labor and Industry in writing or speak with a lawyer in your state.
This guide is kept by the Academy of Energy Healing. Our accredited Energy Healing Certification prepares you to work with clients with confidence.
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