Reiki School and Career Guide

Reiki Therapist 101

Do you believe that life energy flows through all living things? Would you like to learn how to connect to your own healing energy and use it to strengthen that energy in yourself and others? Reiki is a subtle form of spiritual healing based on enhancing the flow of that "ki" – or life energy.

Reiki originated in Japan but is not associated with any particular religion or religious practice. Reiki therapists channel life force energy through their hands, using a series of hand placements on or above the client's fully-clothed body. Reiki sessions relieve tension and stress, while working to encourage healing on all levels – physical, mental and emotional.

Your Reiki Education

What You’ll Study

There is no formal regulation of Reiki, and there are many approaches to Reiki training. International professional organizations, such as the Reiki Network and the Reiki Alliance, have developed efforts to establish consistency, but there are also many independent teachers and practitioners.

Reiki is taught by an experienced Reiki teacher or “Master.” Teaching is usually divided into three levels, or degrees. At each level, practitioners are "initiated" with "attunements" which are feelings of harmony with another being. Attunements are believed to open the flow of universal healing energy to begin Reiki healing.

Here are the Reiki levels you can study:

Level I - Connect with Reiki energy. Learn how to give a Reiki treatment to yourself or someone else.
Level II – Learn about symbols which are said to enhance the healing effects of Reiki. Learn long distance or remote Reiki healing.
Level III - Become a Reiki Master.

Most training programs include the following subjects:

History of Reiki
Scientific evidence of Reiki energy
How to prepare yourself to give a Reiki treatment
How to prepare a room for Reiki
Various techniques for performing Reiki treatments

Average Length of Study

Some Reiki Masters offer all three levels of training in a single weekend, but most prefer to do each level separately. Students may need time to adjust to their new knowledge and attunement after each level of training. Typically, Levels I and II are each taught as individual two-day courses. Master training often requires several courses or an extended apprenticeship.

Average Tuition

Although costs vary considerably among different teachers and practitioners, Level I courses typically cost between $100 and $300. Level II courses average between $200 and $500.

Master courses can be considerably more expensive, ranging from $350 to $10,000. The $10,000 figure is a traditional amount established by Hawayo Takata, the woman who brought the original Usui system (a system created by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator who discovered Reiki’s healing art in the late 1800s) to the West from Japan. However, the price has come down significantly and usually ranges between $600 and $800 for the third or “Master” level.

Do not assume that an expensive program is a good program. Because Reiki is not regulated, and there are many different teachers and lineages, it is important to research your school and teacher. Learn about the specific Reiki form that is being taught and the lineage from which it developed.

Also, because Reiki is a spiritual practice, look for a teacher who feels right for you. Receive a session from the teacher before taking a class, and follow your intuition on whether or not to take the course.

Reiki Therapist Certification and Licensing

In most states, no license or certification is required to practice Reiki. However, in Florida you must be a licensed massage therapist to practice Reiki professionally.

At each level of training, you will receive a certificate from your school or Reiki Master. You can also join a larger professional organization, such as the International Association of Reiki Practitioners.

Reiki Therapist Career Overview

Clients usually report feeling deep relaxation after a Reiki session. Warmth, tingling, sleepiness, refreshment and the easing of symptoms are also common responses to treatment. For many Reiki therapists, this ability to encourage profound healing and peace is a primary motivation and reward.

Reiki, like many of the healing arts, provides a lot of career flexibility. Many therapists work in spas, while others practice in their own home or office. According to the Chicago Tribune, in-home “Reiki parties” are also becoming a popular trend.

It’s not unusual for Reiki therapists to practice only part time or to practice Reiki in addition to massage therapy. As a spiritual practice, Reiki is somewhat different from many other forms of healing. Practitioners may view Reiki less as a career and more as a part of their lifestyle or spiritual path. Still, it is entirely possible to build a successful full-time career as a Reiki therapist if you are talented, committed and able to effectively market your services.

Reiki Career Outlook

Committed Reiki therapists who have a life-changing impact on their clients can build a lucrative practice over time through networking and advertising. And, Reiki Masters can even build more stable income by teaching others.

Government licensing and regulation of Reiki practice has created difficulties for Reiki therapists in some areas – as in Florida, where only licensed massage therapists can legally provide Reiki sessions. Joining forces with local, national and international Reiki organizations may help counteract these challenges.

Reiki Therapist Salaries

Reiki therapists typically charge between $25 and $60 per hour of treatment. Rates vary by region and are higher for more experienced Reiki practitioners. Some Reiki therapists practice full-time and others practice part-time. With this in mind, the average annual salary for a Reiki therapist is $15,000 to $50,000 before expenses, such as rent, utilities, practice table, etc. Reiki Masters may also earn additional income by teaching and lecturing.

Related Specialties:

View all our Spa, Massage and Wellness Articles to learn more about spa and massage careers. You can also view the Spa and Beauty Articles to get more industry insight.

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Looking for Spa and Massage Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools & Training page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools which offer program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

Sources:
The International Center for Reiki Training, 2007
International Association of Reiki Professionals, 2007

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