One of the most common questions we hear from prospective students goes something like this:
“If I complete Reiki Level 1, can I start seeing clients and charging for sessions, or do I need Level 2 first?”
It is a completely natural question. When you feel the spark of curiosity about energy work, you naturally want to know where the journey leads, what practical skills you will walk away with, and how far your certification actually reaches.
While we already have a guide breaking down the structural differences between Level 1 and Level 2, today I want to look at this through a purely practical lens: What can you actually do in your everyday life after each level?
Reiki Level 1 (Shoden): Awakening & Healing the Self
Think of Level 1 as laying the foundation of a home. In traditional Japanese Usui Reiki, Level 1 (which we teach over a weekend) is known as Shoden, which translates to “First Teachings” or “Beginner.”
The primary focus of Level 1 is you.
During the two days, you receive four in-person attunements (or “spiritual blessings”), which establishes your connection to Reiki energy. You learn hand placements, basic energy clearing, and foundational Usui breathwork like Joshin Kokyu-ho.
What You Can Realistically Do After Level 1:
- Practise daily self-treatments: You have a lifelong self-care practice literally in your own hands to down-regulate a busy nervous system, ease tension, and restore inner balance.
- Treat family and friends for free: You can gently offer hands-on sessions to willing friends, your children, or your partner to support relaxation and well-being.
- Support your household & pets: Level 1 is wonderful for treating pets, soothing plants, and charging the general atmosphere of your home.
- Navigate your 21-day clearing: You will have the tools to ground your body and observe emotional shifts as your energetic system recalibrates.
Can You Charge for Reiki After Level 1 in South Africa?
The short answer is no. Level 1 is not designed for public, professional practice. Ethically, and according to the standards of bodies like the Reiki Guild South Africa and our Code of Conduct and Ethics, charging clients money for treatments require the deeper training and energetic boundary work covered in Level 2 training.
Think of Level 1 like learning to swim in the shallow end: it gives you your footing, but you wouldn’t step in as a lifeguard just yet.
Reiki Level 2 (Okuden): The Professional Practitioner & Sacred Symbols
Once you have integrated Level 1, completed your 21-day clearing cycle, and built a consistent relationship with self-treatment, the doorway opens to Level 2 (Okuden, or “Inner Teachings”). This is the bridge where Reiki transforms from a healing system for your personal and spiritual growth, into a professional calling. (You can read more about how our Level 2 training prepares you for professional practice here.)
In Level 2, you are attuned to the sacred Reiki symbols. You learn how to work with three Usui Reiki symbols, send distance healing across time and space, and safely manage the energetics of working on paying clients.
What You Can Realistically Do After Level 2:
- Operate as a Certified Professional Practitioner: You are qualified to open a private practice, welcome public clients, and charge professional fees for your sessions.
- Conduct Distance Reiki Sessions: You can support clients anywhere in the world without them being physically present in your room.
- Keep Energy Boundaries: You are better able to stay grounded and detached so you do not fatigue your own body.
A Familiar Story: The Shift From Living Room to Therapy Room
Almost every practitioner we mentor goes through a predictable shift.
A student, let’s call her Lizette, joins Level 1 convinced she is “only doing this for personal relaxation.” She wants to calm her workday stress and help her daughter sleep better at night. For the first few months, she does her daily self-treatments, and quietly practices on her family on Sunday afternoons. But as she notices her confidence growing and the many positive changes in her, and her family’s lives, something changes:
Friends start commenting on her calm energy. A colleague going through burnout asks if she can try a session. Suddenly, Lizette realizes that holding space for others feels like second nature. And she wants to do it properly, ethically, and confidently.
When she returns for Level 2, she isn’t just learning symbols; she is learning how to hold a safe therapeutic container, establish client intake procedures, and step forward as a credible Reiki practitioner.
Stepping into Practice: Our Practitioner Visibility Program
One of the biggest hurdles newly qualified Level 2 practitioners face isn’t giving the Reiki session – it’s everything that comes afterward. Questions often come up quickly: “How do I find my first paying clients?” “What should I put on my client intake forms?” or “How do I talk about energy work without feeling awkward?”
We believe your training shouldn’t end when the classroom doors close. Because this transition from student to professional can feel daunting, we offer a dedicated Practitioner Visibility Membership for our Level 2 and Master graduates (which we’ll chat more about during your course). The two membership tiers are are designed specifically to provide the practical business support, marketing guidance, and community connection needed to those who want to start seeing clients.
(If you are looking for a qualified practitioner in your area right now, you can view a few of our wonderful registered URSA practitioners here.)
So, Which Level Is Right for You Right Now?
If you are new to energy work, start at the beginning. Give yourself the gift of Level 1 without any pressure to build a business or figure out your five-year plan. Let the energy settle in your own body first. (Curious about what a weekend with us looks like? Explore our Usui Reiki Level 1 course details here.)
If you have already integrated Level 1 and feel that inner nudge calling you to share this healing space with the world, Level 2 is waiting for you. (Ready to step into practice? View our Usui Reiki Level 2 course curriculum.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much time should I leave between Level 1 and Level 2?
We recommend waiting at least 2 to 3 months between levels. This ensures you complete your 21-day clearing cycle, integrate the initial attunements, and establish a steady daily self-treatment habit before taking on the responsibility of treating others professionally.
Do I have to become a practitioner if I take Level 2?
Not at all. Many students take Level 2 simply to learn distance healing for family overseas or to deepen their personal spiritual journey through the sacred symbols. You hold the qualification, but the choice to practise publicly is always yours.
Do you learn Reiki symbols in Level 1?
In traditional Usui Reiki, no symbols are taught in Level 1. The first degree is about awakening your energy channel and learning physical hand placements. The sacred Reiki symbols are introduced in Level 2.
Can I treat my pets with Reiki Level 1?
Yes! Reiki Level 1 is perfect for treating animals. Because animals are highly sensitive to energy, you can easily use your Level 1 hands-on training to help soothe anxious pets, support their healing, and create a calm environment in your home.
