What You Need To Know!
April 1st, 2022, marked one year since the implementation of legislation requiring all touch professionals to register with the Vermont Secretary of State.
Who is required to register?
Anyone providing a one-on-one treatment involving touch, in exchange for money or barter when there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
If you are unsure if this applies to your practice, ask yourself the following questions:
If the answer even one of these questions is “NO”, you do not need to register.
What is the purpose of the law?
To establish a method for consumers to report unprofessional behavior to an agency for investigation. This regulation recognizes that anytime a service involving touch in a private setting, there is potential for abuse. Though there has not been a single reported case of abuse for Reiki in Vermont, it has been an issue in other touch professions. The law includes all touch professions that could become a venue for those seeking to do harm.
How do you register?
Go to: https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/online-services/
You will need to choose “Massage and Touch Professionals “from the list of professions, create an account, complete the application, and pay a fee of $75.00 for a two-year period.
To view a video on the application process, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGiZEUppTt0
Does this impact Reiki teachers?
Teaching in a group setting does not require that you are registered because there is no expectation of privacy. There is an exemption for students as it is assumed students are not charging when practicing on others.
Adding this information to your curriculum is important for those coming to this practice. Regardless of our opinion regarding this law, new practitioners need to be aware of the regulation.
April 1st, 2022, marked one year since the implementation of legislation requiring all touch professionals to register with the Vermont Secretary of State.
Who is required to register?
Anyone providing a one-on-one treatment involving touch, in exchange for money or barter when there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
If you are unsure if this applies to your practice, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I touching the client?
- Is here an expectation of privacy? (Are you alone with the client?)
- Is the client paying for the session through money or barter?
If the answer even one of these questions is “NO”, you do not need to register.
What is the purpose of the law?
To establish a method for consumers to report unprofessional behavior to an agency for investigation. This regulation recognizes that anytime a service involving touch in a private setting, there is potential for abuse. Though there has not been a single reported case of abuse for Reiki in Vermont, it has been an issue in other touch professions. The law includes all touch professions that could become a venue for those seeking to do harm.
How do you register?
Go to: https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/online-services/
You will need to choose “Massage and Touch Professionals “from the list of professions, create an account, complete the application, and pay a fee of $75.00 for a two-year period.
To view a video on the application process, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGiZEUppTt0
Does this impact Reiki teachers?
Teaching in a group setting does not require that you are registered because there is no expectation of privacy. There is an exemption for students as it is assumed students are not charging when practicing on others.
Adding this information to your curriculum is important for those coming to this practice. Regardless of our opinion regarding this law, new practitioners need to be aware of the regulation.
