Teaching Guidelines and Resources
A guide to the Core Curriculum for ReikiTeaching to the Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum for Reiki is published by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). It sets the minimum standard for safe and competent practice, and it incorporates the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Reiki: CNH1, CNH2 and CNH12.
Achieving the outcomes in the Core Curriculum is the measure of eligibility to apply for CNHC registration. It is a minimum standard, it is not tied to any one style of Reiki, and it leaves room for teachers and organisations to go further.
As a professional association that verifies applications for CNHC registration, the UK Reiki Federation shares the Core Curriculum with training providers so that it can be used as the basis for designing and delivering courses.
The source document
Core Curriculum for Reiki
Published by the CNHC, November 2023. This replaces the version published in July 2017.
This page is a summary to help Reiki teachers. Where the two differ, the Core Curriculum applies.
The requirements at a glance
The minimum requirements for practitioner training set out in the Core Curriculum.
240 hours
Total study
The minimum Total Qualification Time, including guided learning.
65 hours
Guided learning
Taught or supervised by a suitably qualified Reiki Master Teacher.
40 hours
Taught in person
At least this much of the guided learning must be teaching with learner and tutor physically present together.
9 months
Minimum duration
The overall period of training should take place over at least nine months.
75 treatments
Given to others
All documented.
100 hours
Of treatment received
Through self-treatment or treatment received from others.
10 case studies
At least four sessions each
These can form part of the 75 treatments.
25% / 75%
Theory to practice
The overall ratio for the course.
How the hours work
Total Qualification Time
An estimate of all the time a learner could reasonably need to reach and demonstrate the required standard. It is made up of guided learning plus the time spent on preparation, study and assessment that is directed by the tutor but not carried out under their immediate supervision.
Guided learning
Time spent being taught or instructed by, or learning under the immediate guidance or supervision of, a tutor suitably qualified as a Reiki Master Teacher. This can be in person, or remotely by live, simultaneous electronic communication.
What must be included
Within the 65 hours of guided learning there must be 5 hours of development and supervision of practical skills, and at least 40 hours of teaching with the learner and the tutor or supervisor physically present together.
Appendix B of the Core Curriculum gives examples of which activities count towards each total.
What a course must cover
The learning outcomes come from three National Occupational Standards. The Core Curriculum aims to make sure that those who complete a course are safe and competent to practise Reiki as autonomous healthcare practitioners, in any setting from private practice to care homes and NHS establishments, and that they develop through personal growth and reflection.
CNH1: the client’s needs
Exploring and establishing what the client needs and expects, at the outset and as treatment continues, so the practitioner can judge whether and how to offer Reiki.
CNH2: the plan
Developing and agreeing a plan with the client, and with relevant others such as carers, that meets the client’s needs and can change as treatment proceeds.
CNH12: providing Reiki to clients
This is the Reiki-specific standard. The Core Curriculum lists 32 areas of knowledge and 11 performance criteria. In summary, students need to know and understand:
Foundations
- Health and wellbeing in physical, emotional, mental and spiritual terms, consistent with Reiki
- The history and development of the styles practised, and the teacher’s lineage to Mikao Usui
- Why person to person attunement, initiation or reiju comes before professional practice
- The principles behind Reiki systems and Reiki energy
The practice
- Giving treatment according to style, system and teachings, with hands on the body, near the body, or at a distance
- The importance of self-treatment for the practitioner
- Who and what can receive Reiki, and any legal or veterinary restrictions
- How Reiki relates to other healthcare, and that it has no known contra-indications when used on its own
Working with the client
- Explaining Reiki, exploring the client’s health history and goals, and supporting informed choices
- Agreeing roles, location and timing
- Recognising when Reiki alone is not enough, when not to accept a client, and when medical referral is essential
- Tailoring treatment to the individual, and active listening
Evaluating and aftercare
- Monitoring change and reviewing with the client whether treatment is effective and should continue
- The possible outcomes of treatment, including healing responses
- Aftercare advice such as rest, rehydration, self-help and onward referral
- Not becoming attached to specific outcomes
Anatomy and safety
- The skeletal structure, and the location and functions of the major organs
- Physical conditions, in enough detail to treat appropriately and to communicate with clients and others
- Red flag symptoms
Professional behaviour
- Confidentiality, boundaries, codes of conduct and ethics
In practice, students must be able to prepare the environment, equipment and themselves, give Reiki safely and correctly, respond to the client throughout, give clear aftercare advice, evaluate the treatment and keep proper records.
Case studies
A minimum of 10 case studies, each of at least four sessions. The written case studies must show:
- confidence in the practical aspects of giving Reiki
- professional behaviour, including adequate record keeping
- understanding of safety, including conditions that need particular care
- understanding of treatment as a process, not a one-off event
- understanding of the holistic nature of Reiki
- self-reflection to develop learning
Assessment
Assessment must include an independent element: the person carrying out the summative assessment should not have taught or assessed the learner, and must be occupationally competent.
- The case studies, a written paper set by the Reiki Council and an observed treatment as agreed by the Reiki Council
- Written work assessed by the course tutor, with a sample also assessed by someone independent of the training
- Ongoing observation of practice during teaching
- A final practical assessment by at least one independent assessor (two are recommended)
Organisations must be able to provide evidence of this if asked.
Level and credit
There are no regulated qualifications for Reiki. The equivalent minimum level is:
- Level 3 in the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Level 6 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
- Level 5 in the National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland
The credit value is 24.
Prior learning (APEL)
Practitioners whose course did not itself meet CNHC requirements can apply through a professional association that is a CNHC verifying organisation for Reiki. The route has three parts:
- 10 case studies, as above
- a practical assessment, giving a treatment to or in front of an occupationally competent observer the practitioner does not know
- hand written answers to questions testing compliance with the NOS and Core Curriculum, plus evidence of at least three years’ practice
Supporting professional Reiki practice
One of the aims of the UK Reiki Federation is to provide support and advice to our members and to the public. Not everyone who learns Reiki wishes to practise professionally. Some prefer to use it for their own personal development, or with family and friends. We support members whether they work in a professional capacity or not.
We encourage practitioners to undertake CPD training if their earlier training did not meet the current standards, and Reiki teachers should be training all professional practitioners to the current standards.
Read the standards in full
The National Occupational Standards for Reiki and the requirements for teachers are in our Education and Training section.