Choosing a Reflexology Program
Reflexology training is confusing to shop for. Hours vary, the word "certified" means almost nothing on its own, and schools are not always straight about what a credential does and does not get you. This page is written to help you choose well — including choosing someone other than us.
The one thing that determines everything
Reflexology is unregulated in most of North America. Anyone can take a weekend course and call themselves a reflexologist. There is no licensing body stopping them.
That is precisely why accreditation matters. It is the only reliable signal available to a prospective client, a clinic considering hiring you, or an insurer.
In Canada, accreditation by the Reflexology Association of Canada is the standard, and entry-to-practice sits at the 360-hour level. Programs below that can be excellent training — ours are — but they are certifications, not accredited diplomas, and honest schools say so.
The three levels, and what each is actually for
120 hours — online certification
Fully online, no travel. You learn the method and receive a certificate from the school.
Right for: people outside travelling distance, people adding a skill to an unregulated practice, and people who want to find out whether this is their calling before committing three times the money.
What it does not give you: national registration, exam eligibility, or the professional title.
240 hours — certification with in-person practical
Everything in the 120, plus four days of hands-on training in Calgary.
Right for: people who want assessed hands-on competence and intend to work on real clients, but are not pursuing national registration.
Be clear about this one: the additional hours do not make it an accredited program, and it does not entitle you to call yourself a registered reflexologist. If registration is the goal, go to 360.
360 hours — accredited diploma
The full entry-to-practice program. Written exams, 100 case studies, the four-day practical, a final practical exam, and transcript submission to the Reflexology Association of Canada.
Right for: anyone intending to practise professionally, charge for sessions, work in a clinic, or seek registration.
What it gives you: eligibility to sit the RCRT exam, which leads to professional membership with RAC.
These are not a ladder. All three start on the same dates and none requires a prior level. It is a fork, not a funnel — pick the one that matches what you want, not the one that looks like the beginning.
Foot or face?
Both are accredited at the 360-hour level here, so this is a question about the work you want to do rather than about credential strength.
Foot reflexology is the most established and most researched form. It is what most clients mean when they book reflexology, and the demand already exists.
Dien Chan facial reflexology is far less common, which cuts both ways: less established demand, but almost no competition and a natural fit with skincare and esthetics. It is also gentler on your hands over a career.
Many practitioners eventually hold both.
Questions to ask any school
Including us. If a school cannot answer these plainly, that is your answer.
- Who accredits this program, and can I see the letter? Accreditation is granted in writing by a named body. A school that has it will show you.
- How many hours, and does that meet entry-to-practice where I live? In Canada that is 360.
- May I call myself a reflexologist afterwards, and may I charge? Ask directly. The answer differs by level and schools are often vague here.
- What does the program require of me? Case studies, written exams with a real pass mark, and an assessed practical are what separate a credential from a receipt.
- What exactly happens after I graduate? The answer should name an exam and an association.
- Is any part in person, and what happens if I cannot attend? Ask before you enrol, not after.
- What is the completion deadline, and what does an extension cost? Life happens mid-program more often than schools admit.
What it costs here
Fall 2026 tuition, Canadian dollars. Prices display in US dollars or euros based on your location.
| Program | Hours | CAD |
|---|---|---|
| Dien Chan Clinician | 360 — accredited | $3,495 |
| Certified Foot Reflexology Therapist | 360 — accredited | $3,295 |
| Dien Chan Practical Pro | 240 | $2,495 |
| Dien Chan Online Pro | 120 | $1,995 |
| Foot Reflexology Practical Pro | 240 | $1,695 |
| Foot Reflexology Online Pro | 120 | $1,095 |
| Auricularmedicine Program | 120 | $3,195 |
Pay in full and save 5%, or spread across three, four or six monthly payments depending on the program. A non-refundable deposit holds a seat, ships your materials and defers the balance.
Tools and materials are included in accredited program tuition.
Who our students are
Four groups, roughly.
Working therapists — massage therapists, estheticians and holistic practitioners adding an accredited credential to an existing practice, often to broaden what they can offer without retraining from scratch.
Healthcare workers planning an exit — nurses and allied health professionals, frequently with twenty years in the system, who want a second career with legitimacy. They arrive fluent in anatomy and physiology and tend to be the most disciplined students in the room.
Career changers — people with no clinical background at all. The programs assume no prior training.
People learning for themselves — no professional ambition, just a genuine interest. The on-demand courses are built for this and there is no expectation you go further.
Still unsure
We offer a free discovery call, and we will tell you plainly if what you want is not what we teach. Email learn@reflexology.school or call (866) 606-7864.
