California Law on Reiki

In the state of California, there are two laws that affect Reiki practitioners. At the state level, there is SB577, described below. Even if you do not live in California, you may find the discussion helpful. I will put any other legal information I discover in the Links section of the is website.

The other law to be aware of is your city or county's definition of massage.

If you are just using Reiki to improve your own life, and work on family and friends there is no issue. However if you are trying to make Reiki into a legitamate licensed business, they are things you should be aware of.

Many Reiki teachers also believe that getting an accreditation as a minister through an organization like the Universal Life Church is suffiecent, full details on why this may not be a good idea can be found in William Rands article on Reiki.org

Sections 2053.5 and 2053.6 of the

California Business and
Professions Code, relating to health.

A person who advertises any services ... shall disclose in the advertisement that he or she is not licensed by the state as a healing arts practitioner. (from sb 577)

All ads must state the practitioner is not licensed by the state as a healing arts practitioner. How this must be phrased is uncertain. Healing arts practitioner is an unfortunate phrasing to use, as most people interested in holistic or complementary medicine are more likely to use the phrase 'healing arts practitioner' to refer to themselves, than to use it to as it is here, as a reference to modern allopathic western medicine hospitals, doctors and nurses.

Here are some phrasing that have been suggested. Once again these may or may not be legally sufficient, these are people's suggestions only. Legal opinions would be welcomed.

(So far, I only have my versions listed here, please email me yours for inclusion)

SB577 : Reiki does not require licensing by the state of California (Jessica Miller)

SB577 : Complementary healing arts such as Reiki do not require licensing by the state of California (Jessica Miller)

California Client Information Form & Waiver
Version Jan 1, 2003
Welcome to Reiki! The purpose of this form is to give you some basic information on Reiki to take home.

What REIKI is

Reiki is a form of complementary medicine, which enhances the body's ability to heal itself.

What Reiki is NOT
Your practitioner is not a licensed physician. REIKI is a complement to 'healing arts services licensed by the state', ie, it is a complement to more traditional western medicine provided by doctors, nurse and hospitals. As a complementary or alternative medicine, REIKI does no require licensing by the state.

Nature of the Services Provided
Reiki Sessions. The client lies down fully clothed. The practitioner(s) place their hands on or above the body and allow the REIKI to radiate from the hands.

Theory of Treatment
Stress, trauma and illness restrict the natural flow of Ki life force energy through the body. By restoring KI to the body, Reiki rejuvenates the bodies ability to relax and de-stress, and supports its ability to heal itself.

In addition to the practitioner radiating the Reiki energy through their hands, sessions may involve the practitioners sweeping their hands above the body in various ways, or incorporating breath or vocal tones to break up energy blocks.

Jessica Miller's Qualifications
Jessica Miller has been practicing Reiki since 1992, and teaching Reiki since 1993. She is a senior licensed teacher for the International Center for Reiki Training. She graduated from the center's licensing program in 1995, having taken (and reviewed) all levels of Reiki Training and Karuna. She continues to study under various other Reiki Masters.

Client Acknowledgment (Will be kept on file for 3 years)
I have been provided with a copy of the above document, in accordance with California state law SB 577:

Client Name: _______________________Date: ____________

How is Massage Defined?

The area of law most Reiki practitioners seeking to create a business have is demonstrating that Reiki is not massage, and that therefore, they do not need to have a massage license. (If the practitioner is already a licensed massage therapist, licensed nurse, etc. this law does not apply)

The Legal world of your city or county probably does not know or care what Reiki is, but they don't want to have to make a new law just for you.

I am indebted to one of my students, Emma R. for walking me through how to do this research.

1) Go to the website for your city. (if you don't find what we are looking for, try going to the county website).

2) Most cities now have their municipal code online. Open it.

3) Look under Business or Business license.

4) Look for information pertaining to massage, and see how it is defined. Since Reiki is traditionally done as light touch, without manipulating, stroking or tapping the body, it may or may not be covered under the definition.

5) Also, while it is important to know the definition when going in for a license, be aware that there may be differences in interpreation. Some may interpret the statute more or less strictly than the actual words. Be polite, and be patient.

If your city/county/state would like to have input in the touchless Reiki class I am developing, please get in touch. Some of what I have in mind for the program can be found in the Reiki explorers section of this site.