A Reiki Master is a practitioner who has completed the third and highest degree of Reiki training, the level at which they can teach Reiki, perform attunements, and pass the practice on to new students. In the Western three-degree system that descends from Mikao Usui’s original Japanese teachings, the Master level marks the transition from healer to teacher and guardian of the lineage. It is a role built on practice, responsibility, and service, not just a certificate. This guide explains what a Reiki Master is, what they actually do, what the training involves, and how to tell a genuine Master from a title alone.
A Reiki Master is the title given to someone who has received the Master level attunement and completed Master level training. In the three-degree system most common in the West, the levels are:
In the traditional Japanese system taught by Mikao Usui, the corresponding stage is called Shinpiden, meaning “mystery teaching.” It was the deepest level of the system, and it is from this Japanese foundation that the modern Master title descends.
Some schools split the Master level into two parts: Master Practitioner (sometimes called Advanced Reiki Training or ART) and Master Teacher. The practitioner part focuses on deepening personal mastery and working with the Master symbol; the teacher part focuses on how to teach, give attunements, and run a practice. Not every Master chooses to teach, but in most lineages the ability to teach is what separates the Master degree from the levels below it.
The role of a Reiki Master depends on how they choose to use the training. The core responsibilities include:
A Reiki Master is not a medical doctor, and Reiki is a complementary practice, not a substitute for medical care. Responsible Masters are clear about this boundary and will refer clients to appropriate healthcare professionals when needed.
At Master level, students receive the highest symbol in the Usui system, often called Dai Ko Myo, a Japanese phrase commonly translated as “great bright light” or “big bright shining light.” It is described as the master key of the system, used for Master attunements, deep healing, and spiritual connection.
In the Western tradition, students at Level 2 receive the three foundational symbols (the power symbol, the mental-emotional symbol, and the distance symbol), and the Master level adds the Master symbol. The symbols are treated as sacred and are traditionally kept within the lineage; teachers share them only with students they are initiating. The Master symbol is also the symbol used to perform attunements for new students.
Becoming a Reiki Master is a step-by-step process that builds on the levels below it. The usual path looks like this:
There is no single international authority that licenses Reiki Masters. Training is not formally regulated in most countries, which means the quality of a Master depends on their teacher, their lineage, and their own commitment. Some schools require a minimum gap, such as six months to a year, between Level 2 and the Master degree; others are more flexible.
The time from first attunement to Master level varies widely. A focused student can complete all three levels in a few months, but most teachers recommend spreading the training over one to two years so that each level can be integrated through practice. The Master level itself is usually taught over one to four days in person, or over several weeks or months in a structured program with assignments.
Costs vary just as widely. Level 1 and Level 2 classes typically cost the least, while Master training, because it includes teaching and attunement instruction, is usually the most expensive level. Prices depend on the teacher, the location, the length of the course, and whether materials and certification are included. As with any training, it is worth asking what the fee covers before enrolling.
Yes, online Master training is offered by many schools, and it can be legitimate and effective when done well. A quality online course includes live video sessions, direct interaction with the teacher, and a real attunement process, sometimes adapted for distance work. Some teachers offer hybrid programs with online theory and an in-person attunement day.
The key is to vet the teacher: ask about their lineage, their own training, how the attunement will be delivered, and what support you get after the course. A course that is only recorded videos with no live contact may leave you with a certificate but without the mentoring that the Master level really requires. The title is earned through the relationship with a teacher and the practice you build, not through the certificate alone.
Because a Master can pass Reiki on to others, the role carries ethical responsibilities that practitioners at lower levels do not have:
The Reiki precepts attributed to Mikao Usui are often cited as the ethical foundation of the practice: just for today, do not anger, do not worry, be grateful, work diligently, and be kind to others. Many Masters use these principles as a daily touchstone for both their teaching and their own life.
If you are looking for a Master to learn from or to receive healing from, a few practical checks help:
No. A Reiki Master is trained in an energy-based complementary practice, not in medicine, psychology, or psychotherapy. A Master cannot diagnose illness, prescribe treatment, or replace a doctor, therapist, or counsellor. Many healthcare professionals add Reiki Master training to their existing clinical skills, and hospitals around the world offer Reiki as a comfort measure alongside medical care, but the Reiki Master title itself is not a medical qualification. Ethical Masters are clear about this distinction from the first conversation.
A practitioner has completed Level 1 or Level 2 and gives Reiki sessions. A Reiki Master has completed the Master degree and can also teach Reiki, give attunements, and initiate new students.
In principle yes, anyone who completes the training can become a Master. In practice, good teachers expect students to complete the earlier levels, practice for a meaningful period, and show readiness to take on the teaching role.
It depends on the student and the school. Some complete all levels within a few months; most teachers recommend one to two years of training and practice between the first attunement and the Master degree.
Reiki is not formally regulated by a single international body, so there is no universal license. Recognition depends on the lineage and school. A certificate from a reputable teacher with a documented lineage is respected within the Reiki community.
A Reiki Master channels Reiki energy, which many people find deeply relaxing and supportive of their wellbeing. Reiki is a complementary practice and is not a substitute for medical treatment, diagnosis, or therapy.
No. Level 1 and Level 2 practitioners give Reiki sessions regularly. The Master level adds teaching and attunement abilities, not the basic ability to channel Reiki, which begins at Level 1.
Becoming a Reiki Master is a journey of practice, self-healing, and eventually service to others. If you are new to Reiki, the first step is a Level 1 attunement and the simple daily discipline of self-Reiki; from there, each level unfolds naturally. If you are already a Level 2 practitioner feeling the pull toward teaching, the Master degree is the formal doorway, and the most important preparation is the practice you have already built. To explore Reiki healing sessions or guidance on your training path, visit our psychic reading page or contact us. You can also read more about the levels in our guide to Reiki levels explained and about the initiation in our article on Reiki attunement.
Choose what you're looking for. You can choose multiple options.
