Do You Need a License for Reiki in Rhode Island?

Yes, with conditions. Rhode Island's massage law covers the systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues, and its exemptions do not mention Reiki or energy work. A separate law on unlicensed health care practices expressly allows unlicensed practitioners to practice, and be paid for, listed practices that include Reiki, energetic healing, therapeutic touch, polarity therapy, Qi Gong energy healing and body work.

Light-touch Reiki that does not manipulate soft tissue is covered by that law, as long as you follow its rules. No ruling on Reiki from the State Board of Licensed Massage Therapists was found.

Yes, under the same rules. Chapter 23-74 covers energetic healing, Reiki and therapeutic touch whether or not you use touch. It does not say whether it reaches a practitioner in another state serving a Rhode Island client, so giving the bill of rights to Rhode Island clients is a sensible precaution.

The medical practice definition covers anyone who professes to heal or offers, by any means or method, to diagnose or treat disease, pain or injury. Chapter 23-74 repeats that you may not give a medical diagnosis.

Yes. Practicing massage therapy means exchanging it for currency, goods or services. Chapter 23-74 applies to anyone providing unlicensed health care for remuneration, or holding themselves out to the public as a practitioner, so advertising your services brings you under it even when a session is free.

These titles are reserved for licensees: massage therapist, masseur, masseuse, massagist, massotherapist, myotherapist, body therapist, massage technician and massage practitioner, along with licensed massage therapist and LMT. You may not advertise using massage therapy or any other term implying a massage technique or method.

Do not make false or misleading use of doctor, Dr. or physician, and do not give a medical diagnosis.

Yes. Before any treatment, give each client a written copy of the Unlicensed Health Care Client Bill of Rights, and post a copy prominently in your office. It must include your name, title, business address and phone; your training and qualifications, followed by a bold statement that Rhode Island has not adopted training standards for unlicensed practitioners and that you may not provide a medical diagnosis; Department of Health contact details for complaints; your fees and billing method; a plain-language summary of your approach; and statements on confidentiality, access to records and the client's right to refuse services.

The client must sign a written statement that they received it before any service. The law also bars false or misleading advertising, sexual contact with a client, conduct likely to harm the public, revealing client communications and failing to furnish client records on request. Surgery, puncturing the skin, prescribing drugs, setting fractures and manipulating joints or the spine fall outside its protection, and the Department of Health investigates complaints and can discipline.

Yes. Any city or town may regulate, by ordinance, the opening, location and operation of bodyworks businesses. The law defines these as body rubs, body stimulation, manipulation or conditioning of the body, spa services and spa treatments by unlicensed persons, which could catch touch-based energy work. City and town licensing authorities can also enforce the massage chapter, so check with your city or town.