Research: Waking the Body with Breath
October 1, 2026
Why do some Reiki masters charge $10,000 for a course?
October 2, 2026
Not completely, but nearly. There is no regulation, so anyone can write and sign a certificate, even for themselves. A certificate that states what was actually learned in the course is worth something, because it tells you and others what you have done. But your practice is worth far more than the paper.
There’s a question. Of course not. But anyone can write a certificate, right? There is no regulation. My neighbour could write out a certificate, sign it, and give it to someone saying they had done Reiki when they had not done anything. They could even write one for themselves. In that sense, yes, it would be worthless.
People love certificates, by the way. Some people are certificate collectors.
The idea of a certificate is to show what you have done. The certificates I give actually state what you learned in that course, and I think that is helpful. It makes them a little more worthy. Yes, it is worth something.
But it is more about your practice anyway. A certificate says you have done a course, and it is good to know what you actually learned in it; that should be written on it. And then what you need to do is go away and practise those things. That is far more important than the certificate.
The short version. A certificate is a receipt, not a qualification. It proves you attended; it cannot prove you practise.
What to look for. A certificate that names the level in its Japanese form, lists what was taught, and names the teacher and their lineage. If it only says “Reiki Master” and a date, it tells the reader nothing.
A common misunderstanding. That a certificate from a well-known school is worth more. Schools are not regulated either. What a client or an employer can actually check is how you practise and how you speak about it, so those are what to invest in.
Ask your teacher this. “What will my certificate say I have learned?”.
You might also ask: Why do some Reiki masters charge $10,000 for a course? · Should a Reiki practitioner have insurance? · Master Teacher versus Reiki Master?
My Shinpiden+ certificate lists every practice you have learned, and the practice is the point: Shinpiden+.
More questions answered: Reiki Questions Answered.
