Do You Need a License for Reiki in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania defines massage therapy as structured touch, pressure, movement, holding and treatment of the soft tissue. Section 13(6) of the Massage Therapy Law says the Act does not prevent, restrict or require licensure of a person who uses touch to affect the energy systems, acupoints, Qi meridians or channels of energy of the body, while working within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics. It names Reiki, along with acupressure, Asian bodywork therapy, polarity therapy bodywork, qigong, shiatsu and tui na.

The condition is that your practice belongs to a profession with established standards and ethics. Exempt practitioners still may not use massage titles.

Yes. The Massage Therapy Law does not address no-touch or distance work, and its definition requires touch or treatment of soft tissue, so hands-off work falls outside it. The Medical Practice Act defines medicine broadly as the healing art aimed at curing disease, with or without drugs, except healing by spiritual means or prayer. Avoid presenting your work as curing disease.

No. Neither the massage definition nor the unlawful practice section mentions compensation, so free sessions follow the same rules as paid ones.

Licensed Massage Therapist, L.M.T. and Massage Therapist are reserved, and unlicensed people may not use any title implying massage services, including massage practitioner, masseur, masseuse and myotherapist. Businesses may not use those words unless licensees provide the services.

Only medical doctors may practice or claim to practice medicine, or use titles such as doctor of medicine or physician.

Philadelphia City Council considered a touch therapy establishment licensing bill in April 2013, aimed at the state's energy work exemption. Whether it passed has not been confirmed. If you practice in Philadelphia, ask the city whether it applies to you, and check local rules wherever you work.