If your question is not answered below, please submit it to us from the Question Box at the end.
Certification, Membership, Practicing Legally
I need liability insurance for my reflexology practice. Does RAA recommend any?
RAA does not recommend one insurance carrier over another; however, these insurance companies do offer discounted rates to our members. Contact them to determine which company best fits your needs. Remember to inform them that you are a RAA member for the discount!
What do the various acronyms mean that I see after some practitioners’ names?
CR – Certified Reflexologist
NBCR – Nationally Board Certified Reflexologist
I’m interested in becoming a reflexologist. How do I get started?
The RAA State Association Directory is a great place to start. Each association will have a contact person who can provide you with information pertaining to schools, certification requirements, as well as local and state law requirements.
The RAA Member Schools Directory is also a good resource; there you’ll find a list of schools listed by state.
Note: Any school that you attend should have a course that gives you at least 300 hours of study in reflexology, with 180 hours of the curriculum done live in a classroom, if you wish to join RAA at the Professional level. Please review the requirements for professional membership before choosing a school.
How do I become nationally certified?
Although there are a number of organizations in the country that offer national certification in reflexology, RAA only accepts certification from agencies that are national in scope, non-profit (existing for the good of the profession, not for financial gain) and independent (not affiliated with any school, teacher, educational program, membership organization or other entity). This is to avoid conflict of interest. At this point in time, the only organization meeting RAA’s criteria is the American Reflexology Certification Board. Please contact ARCB directly regarding national certification.
Is there an online course I can take to get certified?
To be recognized as a Professional by RAA, you must have at least 300 hours of reflexology training. Some of those hours may be taken online; 180 hours must be met in a live classroom setting with a qualified instructor. Anyone with less than those requirements may join RAA as an Associate Practitioner. Please read the Professional Membership Requirements before selecting your school.
What’s the difference between a Professional member and an Associate member?
Professional Members have completed a reflexology-only course of at least 300 hours, with at least 160 of those hours completed live in a classroom. Documentation of completion of the training program must be provided at time of application. Please read the Professional Membership Requirements before choosing your program of study. Professional members may vote and hold office. Additional benefits are listed here.
Associate memberships are open to a number of individuals: 1) reflexology Students or Practitioner reflexologists not meeting the Professional member level standards; 2) Supporters: reflexology clients, reflexology-related businesses or other interested persons or businesses desiring to support the growth and development of the field of reflexology; 3) reflexology Schools; 4) affiliated and non-affiliated state chapters. Associate members may not vote or hold office. Additional benefits are listed here.
How can I increase my reflexology hours so that I qualify as a Professional member?
See Professional membership requirements.
I’m certified in reflexology, why do I need to belong to a national and/or state association?
Please read Why Join?
I’m a professional member of RAA and also have my national certification; can I practice in any state?
Each state has its own laws and criteria regarding the practice of reflexology. Start with looking at Reflexology Laws-By-State, which are updated on a regular basis. It would be in your best interest to check with both the state and local authorities before setting up a practice.
I’m moving from one state to another. How do I find out about requirements in the state I’m moving to?
Each state has its own laws and criteria regarding the practice of reflexology. Start with looking at Reflexology Laws-By-State, which are updated on a regular basis. If the state in question has a reflexology association, you can check with them as well. Please remember that it is in your best interest to check with both the state and local government authorities before setting up a practice.
Continuing Education
Where do I look for reflexology-related courses, events and workshops?
You can see both live events and online courses here.
As a RAA member, if I decide to hold workshops or other events pertaining to reflexology, can I post them on the RAA website?
Yes, please do! That is a benefit of a Professional or School membership. Event submission here.
Are there any internet discussion groups for reflexology?
There are a number of online reflexology discussion groups, some of which are:
RAA also has a Facebook page.
Billing Insurance
Can Reflexologists bill insurance companies for services?
Insurance billing privileges and laws vary state by state. You would need to check with the massage licensing board in your state (if reflexology is governed by the massage board) or the reflexology licensing board (if reflexology is licensed as a separate healthcare practice). If reflexology is exempt from licensing in your state, check with the individual insurance companies to see if they cover reflexology and if it is covered when offered by a reflexologist. (Some plans require that the service be provided by another professional.) Check also to see what sort of credentials they would require of you in order to be reimbursed. Although this article was written for massage therapists, you might find some of the information pertinent to your question: http://bit.ly/2pD9P81
Merchandise and Advertising
Does RAA sell merchandise, like reflexology charts and “how to” guides?
RAA has electronic brochures that are useful in building a practice, as well as manuals that help with setting up an association or organizing a conference. As well, a number of our members offer reflexology-related products through our Store.
I have products that complement reflexology. Is it possible to place an ad in the RAA magazine or on the website?
Yes. See our online advertising and advertising rates pages for further information.
State Associations and State Licensing
My state does not have an association. How would I go about starting one?
Start by ordering Guidelines to Setting Up a Reflexology Association that walks you through the process, step by step. If your group wishes to affiliate the chapter with RAA, we can help you to do that. Please contact the Affiliation Chair.
Our association would like to see reflexology licensed in our state? Can RAA help us?
RAA has considerable experience in this area and is more than happy to partner with you to meet your goal. Please contact the Legislation Chair.