THE REIKI HEALING ASSOCIATIONS

PLEASE READ OUR CODE OF ETHICS POLICY CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS SITE

As a Member of the Reiki Healing Association (RHA); All Registered Reiki Practitioner (RP) and Registered Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher (RMT) agree to abide by the following Community Code of Ethics:

To ensure the highest professional standards, all Members of the Reiki Healing Association must read and agree to uphold and adhere to the following Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics defines the values and expected behaviours of all Reiki Healing Association Members.

For clarity, the terms ‘Practitioner,’ ‘RHA Member,’ or ‘Member(s)’ refer to any Reiki Professional who has registered with the Reiki Healing Association and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics. This includes those who practice Reiki on people, animals, or within specialised fields such as Crystal Reiki. This Code of Ethics applies to all professional activities of Members, including in-person, remote, distance, and online Reiki sessions, as well as any public representations of professional Reiki practice (e.g., social media, websites, advertising, and teaching).

The term ‘Client’ refers to any member of the public receiving Reiki services. Client may also refer to your Reiki students, or animals receiving Reiki treatment. When referring to an animal, ‘Client’ may also encompass the guardian responsible for their care.
This Code applies to all levels of Reiki practice, including students in training, Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners, and Master/Teachers. Throughout this document, ‘RHA’ refers to the Reiki Healing Association.

Summary of Core Ethical Principles
As an RHA Member, I agree to:
• Always act with honesty, integrity, and respect.
• Provide clear, accurate information to clients.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Protect client privacy and maintain records safely.
• Comply with all applicable laws and obtain appropriate insurance.
• Respect other Reiki practitioners and uphold the good reputation of the RHA.

1. Working with Clients

Clarity in Services
• Practitioners must provide clear, written descriptions of Reiki services, including duration, cost, and session expectations.
• Prior to a client’s first ever session, Members should outline what Reiki is and what is involved in a Reiki session to help the client feel at ease and confident that they understand what the session will entail.
• Practitioners must state explicitly that Reiki is a complementary practice and not a substitute for medical, veterinary or psychological treatment. Reiki works alongside conventional medical and veterinary treatment, not instead of.
• No claims should be made that Reiki can cure, diagnose, or prevent any medical or veterinary condition. If clients request medical/veterinary advice practitioners should refer the client back to their doctor or vet and not attempt to diagnose or prescribe treatment themselves. Practitioners should not prescribe or sell remedies or health products as part of the practice of Reiki.
• Practitioners must not discourage clients from seeking qualified medical or veterinary advice and should not ask clients to disregard advice from a medical or veterinary professional or stop taking prescribed medicine or treatment pathways.
• Practitioners should not use other therapies alongside Reiki without the permission or request of the client, e.g., if also qualified in reflexology they should not start reflexology midway through a Reiki session when the Client has asked for a Reiki session.
• When teaching Members should provide a clear written description of subjects to be taught during each level of Reiki prior to class and list what the student will be able to do after taking the class. They should outline all relevant costs, time expectations and what is required in terms of assignments and/or exams to achieve certification.
• Practitioners must obtain clear, informed consent before conducting any Reiki session (in-person or distance/remote), ensuring the Client understands the nature of the session, what to expect, and has agreed to receive the session. Consent should also include the client’s preference for hands-on or hands-off treatment during in-person sessions.
• Practitioners must ensure that any information provided to clients regarding the benefits of Reiki is evidence-based and in line with accepted standards within the complementary and holistic therapy sector. Members should avoid making exaggerated or unverifiable claims that could mislead clients.
• Practitioners must respect the client’s autonomy and cultural beliefs. They should not impose personal beliefs, including spiritual or religious views, onto clients or students.

Ethical Conduct & Professional Boundaries
• Practitioners should maintain a pure and clear intention to offer their services for the highest healing good of the Client and highest potential of the student.
• You must maintain the highest professional standard when working with clients. The Client is looking to you to remain professional at all times so that they feel safe, secure and supported. As such your relationship with your Client should be of the highest level of professionalism.
• Practitioners should also maintain high standards of skill, compassion and care whether during a Reiki session or the training of a student. You should not misrepresent your skill level, both in Reiki itself and other holistic disciplines. Members must recognise their limits of competence and must not undertake practices for which they have no training, referring clients elsewhere if appropriate.
• Members will always treat their Clients and Students with the highest level of respect and dignity.
• The Client has the right to accept or refuse any form of treatment or training procedure or exercise. Practitioners should be conscious of body language cues when working with animals and respect an animal’s desire to be left alone. Animals should be allowed to leave an area or separate themselves from a situation if they wish to do so.
• In a professional capacity, Practitioners must never take advantage of or exploit clients in any way during a Reiki session, including financially, emotionally, physically, sexually or through undue influence. This includes overcharging for services, creating dependency, manipulating vulnerabilities, pressuring clients into additional sessions, or engaging in any behaviour that compromises their well-being and trust.
• In a professional capacity, Members must represent themselves and the RHA in a positive, professional manner both in-person and online (including professional social media, forums, and public platforms). Defamatory comments, harassment, spreading misinformation, or damaging the reputation of the RHA, its members, or the Reiki profession may result in membership termination.
• Members shall not practice or teach Reiki if they are in any condition, which compromises the quality of their services, such as inebriation, or if their mental faculties are lessened for any reason whatsoever and they shall never offer alcohol or mind-altering substances to their clients.
• Clients must never be asked to remove clothing beyond coats or shoes. Practitioners should not touch the genital/buttock area or the breasts of their client, nor will the Client be allowed to touch the Practitioner in such a manner. The Practitioner will practice hands-off healing of these areas if treatment is needed.
• Members will ask the client for consent to use “hands on” therapy, explaining that alternatively hands can be held above the body – the comfort of the Client is paramount. When the Client has given permission for “hands on” therapy, the RHA Member shall use light hand pressure when placing hands on the Client’s body. There will never be a need to rub or manipulate any body part. If the Client has not given permission for “hands on” therapy, the Member will complete the entire Reiki session with hands above the body at all times.
• Practitioners working with children, vulnerable adults, or animals must ensure they obtain appropriate consent from a parent, guardian, carer, or animal guardian. Practitioners must be familiar with and comply with their local safeguarding laws and policies regarding vulnerable persons and animals. Any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation must be reported to the relevant authorities.
• Members shall not refuse a Client on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or political belief. However, members reserve the right to refuse a Client for reasons of personal safety and/or other reasons (e.g., Client displays aggressive or sexual behaviour, is intoxicated, has arrived very late). On such occasions the Practitioner should make it clear why they are refusing service.
• Members should recognise that people (and animals for that matter) are very different in their own personal boundaries. There may be factors that affect personal boundary needs such as cultural standards, past trauma, pain or health issues. Members should always honour these boundaries and make it clear that hands off or even distant/beaming is always available if the client is unsure.

Working environment/premises
• The health and wellbeing of the client/student is the prime consideration of the RHA Member. Sessions and classes should be conducted in a safe, comfortable, and empowering space.
• Practitioners should maintain good cleanliness and ensure tools such as a Reiki table or chair are appropriately cleaned.
• RHA Members shall dress in a professional manner conducive to the holistic service being provided and be neat and clean in their own personal hygiene.

Working in Third Party Spaces: Practicing Reiki in Healthcare Settings & Animal Shelters
• Practitioners working in any healthcare setting such as a hospital, hospice, or veterinary clinic must follow all relevant institutional policies and rules. The Practitioner must accept that the client’s care and care plan is determined by the care setting.
• Practitioners should aim to have a good relationship with and cooperate with medical or healthcare professionals. When working in a healthcare setting the Practitioner must work in harmony with the staff. When giving Reiki to a client the Practitioner should not obstruct the tasks of the staff or be otherwise disruptive to staff or other patients.
• Practitioners must not present themselves as licensed medical/veterinary professionals or interfere with existing treatment plans. If provided, or requested, Practitioners should wear identification that indicates they are a volunteer.
• Practitioners must obtain permission from both the client and the person in charge of their medical care before performing Reiki in a healthcare setting.
• Practitioners should not seek to dismiss or criticise the clients existing healthcare treatment plan to the client or the healthcare staff.
• Practitioners must also respect the client’s right to their own healthcare choices and their right to refuse any Reiki services offered.
• It is the responsibility of the Practitioner to confirm whether they need Insurance to work in a healthcare setting and/or comply with any legislation the healthcare setting (or your country/state) requests of you when offering your services.
• Practitioners must not promise (whether explicitly or implied) that they can cure a client of their disease or ailment.
• If volunteering Reiki services in an animal shelter/rescue centre Practitioners should have received permission from an appropriate member of staff and follow any rules or specific requests relating to the safety of both humans and animals.
• Practitioners should understand all animals have feelings and a right to dignity. Rescue animals may be traumatised, and you should be conscious of their boundaries. Never use restraint to keep an animal ‘in session’ or aversive methods.
• Practitioners volunteering in animal shelters should develop a keen understanding of the body language cues of the animals they are working with e.g. dogs, cats, horses so they can better respect the animal’s boundaries and practice safely.

2. Legal Compliance & Insurance

Compliance with Local Laws
• Members must research, understand, and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and licensing requirements in their country, state, or locality.
• Members are solely responsible for obtaining the necessary business licenses, tax registrations, and permits required to operate legally.
• Failure to comply with legal requirements is the sole responsibility of the practitioner, and the Association bears no liability for any non-compliance.

Insurance Requirements
• Practitioners must obtain appropriate insurance for their Reiki practice in line with legal and professional standards. This may include, but is not limited to, professional indemnity, public liability, and employer liability insurance, depending on the requirements of their country or region.
• Practitioners should also secure insurance for their place of practice (e.g., studio, home, or rented premises) to mitigate potential risks and liabilities.
• Those practicing from home must verify whether their home insurance policy covers Reiki practice, client visits, and any employees or assistants working on-site.
• It is the sole responsibility of the practitioner to ensure they have adequate and compliant coverage. The RHA is not responsible for any claims, losses, or damages resulting from insufficient or missing insurance coverage.

Working Environment & Premises
• Members must ensure their place of practice—whether a commercial space, rented premises, or their home—complies with all relevant laws and health and safety regulations in their location. This includes, but is not limited to, legal requirements related to client and staff safety, working conditions, accessibility, and business operations.
• Home-based practitioners must check if they are subject to additional business-related obligations, such as specific insurance policies, local permits, or business rates liabilities.
• The Association holds no responsibility for a practitioner’s failure to meet legal, insurance, or premises-related obligations.

3. Client Records, Confidentiality & Data Protection

Client Records & Privacy
• Practitioners must maintain accurate, factual, and securely stored client records for the legally required duration in their country and/or state. It is the practitioner's responsibility to be aware of and comply with local regulations regarding data protection, record retention and confidentiality.
• Data must be stored securely and considered confidential.
• RHA Members should consider holding accurate and up-to-date records of their meetings and sessions with the client. These records should include the date of the session and details of any treatment provided and any relevant notes from the session. All such information should be considered confidential and private.
• In the event of retirement or business closure, client records must be confidentially disposed of.
• Any staff working for you must also treat all client information and records with complete confidentiality and respect.
• Practitioners should arrange for the confidential disposal of their client records in the event of their death.
• Practitioners must comply with all relevant data protection and privacy laws in their country and any regions where they offer services. This includes, but is not limited to, GDPR (for the UK/EU), CCPA (for California), and other applicable regulations. If you practice in multiple countries, you are responsible for understanding and adhering to local legal requirements, including laws on data collection, client consent, security, cross-border data transfers, and client rights regarding their personal information.

4. Advertising & Brand Protection

Truthful Representation
• The Practitioner must acknowledge that advertising law is different depending on your country and/or state. It is the responsibility of the Practitioner to research and confirm the relevant advertising laws, legislations or guidelines around the practice of Reiki to ensure that they are not breaking any laws in the way that they advertise or represent their services (e.g. the UK 1939 Cancer Act prohibits offering to treat anyone for cancer, to prescribe any treatments for the disease, or to give advice in connection to cancer treatment).
• No advertisements should mislead the public into believing that Reiki can diagnose, treat or cure specific ailments.
• Members must not claim that Reiki is a medical treatment, cure, or alternative to conventional healthcare. They should not suggest that Reiki can replace traditional medical/veterinary support or healthcare.
• Practitioners must not use misleading testimonials or unverified claims in marketing materials.
• The Practitioner should not present themselves in a way that could portray the Reiki Healing Association or its community of Members in a poor light.
• Always respect intellectual property rights and do not use other people’s content for material or immaterial gain.

RHA Branding & Intellectual Property
• The RHA name, logo, and associated brand assets and materials, products and services may not be modified, used without authorisation, or misrepresented.
• Practitioners cannot advertise themselves or their products and services as accredited or endorsed by the Reiki Healing Association.
• Any misuse of RHA branding or Intellectual Property may result in membership termination and legal action.

5. Ethical Responsibilities to Fellow Practitioners
• Practitioners should respect the lineages and chosen pathways of other Reiki professionals.
• Members should not falsely criticise or discredit other practitioners.
• Actively soliciting clients from other Reiki practitioners is prohibited. Likewise soliciting fellow members is prohibited and any members found to be harassing other members to sell their services will have their membership revoked.

6. Membership & Enforcement

Making a Complaint against a Member
• The RHA Complaints procedure aims to ensure the protection of the public interest and also to protect the good name and professional reputation of the RHA and its Members.
• The RHA investigates complaints in a fair and impartial manner. If you would like to make a complaint against a Member as you believe that their professional conduct breaches our Code of Ethics, complaints must be submitted via the dedicated RHA Complaints Form on our website. Complaints submitted via any other means will not be reviewed.
• If a complaint is found to be valid and constitutes a breach of the RHA Code of Ethics, the sole action the Reiki Healing Association may take is the termination of the member’s RHA membership. No legal, financial, or disciplinary action beyond this will be pursued by the RHA, as members operate independently and are not under the employment or legal authority of the Association.
• Decisions regarding membership status are made by the RHA, and our decisions are final. The RHA is not obligated to provide detailed evidence or reasoning for membership termination or lack thereof.

Termination & Legal Disclaimers
• The RHA reserves the right to refuse membership applications at its sole discretion if it determines that the applicant’s conduct or business practices are inconsistent with the values and professional standards of the RHA.
• The RHA’s decision on membership status is final.
• Upon termination of a Membership, Practitioners may no longer claim to be a Member of the Reiki Healing Association and must cease using the RHA name, branding, and all associated membership materials and resources.
• Members acknowledge that RHA membership is a professional privilege and not a right. The RHA reserves the right to revoke membership if a member’s conduct is deemed to bring the Association into disrepute or conflict with its values.

7. Legal obligations
• The Reiki Healing Association is an international association serving many members worldwide and as such we are unable to give specific advice on the legal requirements for Practitioners, in joining the RHA the Practitioner accepts that it is their responsibility to research the legal requirements to practice Reiki in their country, state and/or county and local area.
• Practitioners must ensure they are familiar with consumer protection laws and distance selling regulations applicable in their country, particularly when offering services or products online.
• Practitioners must research and comply with any local, regional, and national laws related to health, safety, and professional practice, including any requirements regarding infectious diseases, animal welfare, data protection, mental health and client care. Practitioners are solely responsible for understanding any reporting obligations (e.g., mandatory reporting of diseases, expressing suicidal feelings) and obtaining necessary clearances, disclosures, or certifications where required.
• The RHA is not liable for any disputes, disagreements, or conflicts arising between members and their clients, students, or other third parties. Members agree to indemnify the RHA against any legal claims, costs, or damages arising from their professional practice.
• The RHA does not regulate or oversee the day-to-day practices of its Members.

Final Agreement
By joining the Reiki Healing Association (RHA), members acknowledge their responsibility to uphold this Code of Ethics. Failure to comply may result in membership termination and/or legal action.

For full legal terms, responsibilities, and disclaimers, please refer to the Reiki Healing Association Terms and Conditions.

The RHA reserves the right to amend its Code of Ethics, and Terms and Conditions at any time.