Reiki Practice Laws in Arizona: Religious Exemption Applies

Under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 32-2908, practicing massage therapy, bodywork, or reflexology requires a license from the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy.

However, a statutory exemption exists:

"A person who engages in religious or ritual services or ceremonies involving bodywork or reflexology and holds or operates the services or ceremonies under the auspices of or as part of a recognized religious association or non-profit organization."

Implication for Reiki:

• Reiki involves touch/energy healing—potentially classified as "bodywork" or "reflexology" under the statute.
• If practiced within a bona fide religious/ritual context (e.g., as part of a church, spiritual center, or nonprofit ministry), no license is required.
• If offered commercially or secularly (spa, wellness center, private practice), a massage therapy license is likely required.

Practitioners should consult the Board of Massage Therapy and legal counsel to structure their practice compliantly. The exemption is narrow—must be genuinely religious/ritual, not merely "spiritual."