Do You Need a License for Reiki in North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina's massage law covers pressure, friction, stroking, rocking, kneading and stretching of the soft tissues. It also says nothing in the article prohibits or affects techniques specifically intended to affect the human energy field. In August 2019 the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy agreed that Reiki, therapeutic touch, bio energetics and similar modalities do not appear to fall within massage and bodywork therapy.

One caution applies. The board's list of modalities requiring licensure includes Reiki Massage, which suggests that Reiki combined with massage, or described as massage, needs a license.

Yes. The same energy field exemption covers hands-off work, and work without touch is outside massage in any case. Take care with remote sessions. North Carolina's medical practice definition covers offering to prevent, diagnose, correct or treat any disease, illness, pain or abnormal physical or mental condition, including acts done from inside or outside the state by internet or telephone.

So a practitioner in another state who claims to diagnose or treat a North Carolina resident's condition could be reached by this law. Keep your descriptions to relaxation, balance and well-being.

For massage, yes. The practice of massage and bodywork therapy means applying it to a person for a fee or other consideration. Energy field techniques are exempt either way. The medicine definition has no payment element, so treatment claims are a problem whether or not you charge.

Unlicensed people may not use massage therapist, bodywork therapist, masseur, masseuse, massagist, somatic practitioner, body therapist, structural integrator or any derivation implying this practice. You also may not advertise with any term that implies a soft tissue technique, and only licensees may use Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist.

Do not offer to diagnose or treat disease, illness, pain or abnormal conditions, and do not use Dr., physician or similar titles.

They can. Counties and cities may regulate people covered by the massage article, as long as their rules are consistent with it. Check with your city and county before you open a practice.