Establishing yourself as a reflexologist: status, formalities, first steps

Reflexology is not among regulated professions: no order, no state accreditation, no prior authorisation. You can therefore start without waiting for anyone’s validation.

This freedom has a counterpart. Since no one controls entry into the profession, it is up to you to build proof of your seriousness: training, insurance, clarity of your commitments.

Initial steps

• Declare your activity on the single business formalities portal, which has replaced the former formalities centres.
• Choose your regime: the micro‑enterprise suits most start‑ups, with sole proprietorship or company for later stages.
• Check the APE code assigned to you and have any obvious error corrected: it serves as a reference for your contacts, without defining your right to practice.
• Open a dedicated bank account as soon as your turnover justifies it.
• Subscribe to professional civil liability insurance before the first session.

The limit not to cross

You do not make any diagnosis, you do not prescribe anything, you do not ask anyone to interrupt a treatment. These acts fall under the physician’s remit, and performing them exposes you to legal action for illegal practice of medicine. Your role is that of a well‑being accompaniment, complementing the care pathway.

What your clients should easily find

• Your rates, or failing that, how you set them.
• The duration of a session and its outline.
• The exact location and access conditions.
• Your cancellation policy, written before the first session.
• Your professional contact details and your SIRET number.

Write your rules before you need them

One final tip: write your cancellation policy before you need it. On the day an appointment is cancelled an hour in advance, a rule set in advance saves you from having to improvise an awkward response.