Do You Need a License for Reiki in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia's massage law excludes anyone who uses touch, words and directed movement, and the exemption names Reiki, healing touch, therapeutic touch, polarity therapy, qigong and practices whose primary purpose is affecting the energy systems of the human body. The statute attaches no training or recognition condition to this exemption.

Massage therapy is defined as treating soft tissue for therapeutic purposes with techniques based on manipulation or pressure. The rule against holding yourself out as practicing massage therapy without a license still applies to you.

Yes. The massage law concerns touch, and practices that affect the body's energy systems are exempt in any case. Virginia's medical practice law covers the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ailments, conditions, diseases, pain or infirmities by any means, so describe your work in terms of relaxation, balance and well-being.

That law also exempts practicing the religious tenets of a church in ministering to the sick by mental or spiritual means, which may help if you work within a church.

No. Neither the massage license requirement nor the energy work exemption depends on whether you are paid.

Practicing or holding yourself out as practicing massage therapy without a license is a Class 1 misdemeanor, so leave the word massage out of your marketing. Virginia's medical practice law treats anyone who uses the titles Doctor, Dr. or Healer, or any title implying they can heal, cure or relieve disease or injury, as practicing the healing arts, which requires a license.

The word Healer is a specific trap for energy healers' marketing in Virginia. Describe yourself and your work in terms of relaxation, balance and well-being.