Do You Need a License for Reiki in Tennessee?

Tennessee defines massage as manipulating the soft tissues of the body with the intention of positively affecting the client's health and well-being. In 2017 the Board of Massage Licensure adopted a written policy on Reiki and energy work: any technique that includes touching and manipulating the client's soft tissue is massage and needs a license unless an exemption applies.

The exemptions cover other licensed professions, certain students and visiting instructors, and none of them mention Reiki. The policy does not say whether still, light touch with no manipulation counts, so that remains a gray area. If you use touch, keep it to light hand placement, or ask the Board in writing first.

Yes. The Board's 2017 policy states that any technique with no touching of the body does not meet Tennessee's definition of massage. Distance work is not mentioned, and it involves no touch.

Tennessee's medical practice act reaches anyone who treats, or claims to diagnose or treat, any physical ailment, injury or deformity. Describe your sessions in terms of relaxation, balance and well-being.

Yes, for the massage license. It is required for anyone engaged in massage for compensation, and Tennessee defines compensation broadly: payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution, deposit or gift of money or anything of value. Donation-based sessions count as paid.

The medical practice act applies whether or not you are paid.

Advertising the services of an unlicensed person with the word massage, or any term that implies a massage technique or method, is unlawful. Only licensees may use the titles Massage Therapist, M.T., Licensed Massage Therapist or L.M.T., and advertising or doing massage for compensation without a license is a Class B misdemeanor.

Using M.D., Doctor of medicine, Physician or similar words in a way that suggests practicing medicine also counts as practicing medicine.

Write to the Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure, describe exactly how you place your hands, and ask whether still, light touch with no manipulation falls under its 2017 Reiki and Energy Work policy. Keep the reply with your records.