Become a reflexologist: test the job before your career change

A typical day

• 9:00 am: first client, a night-shift nurse who comes to unwind; a ten-minute chat and her record updated.
• 10:15 am: a man mentions a swollen, painful leg; no session, you advise him to see his doctor today.
• 11:00 am: a one-hour foot session, with pressure agreed with the client on a 1 to 5 scale.
• 12:15 pm: quick lunch, then the linen goes in the wash and the chair is disinfected before the afternoon.
• 1:30 pm: break, replies to booking requests and a check of your web page text for any health claim.
• 3:00 pm: hand relaxation workshop for ten staff at a small firm, with a take-home sheet of moves.
• 6:00 pm: last session, fresh linen, the day's accounts and hand stretches.

How to become a reflexologist

In France, reflexology is not a health profession and there is no state diploma. Onisep quotes 10 to 15 months of training to prepare a reflexologist certificate listed in the RNCP, France's national register of certifications, with two years of higher education advised. Several listings have expired, such as RNCP32054 in January 2022, so check on the France Compétences website that a certification is active, ask how many hours of supervised practice it includes and talk to former students. Most reflexologists then set up as micro-entrepreneurs. In English-speaking countries, routes and rules differ, so check local requirements. The G-Learn trial helps you find out whether the job suits you before you invest; the G-Learn certificate is not a diploma.

Pay

According to Onisep, a beginner reflexologist in France earns from €1,867 gross a month, but income mostly depends on status, usually self-employed, and the number of clients. A session of about an hour costs between €30 and €100 depending on the practitioner and region (April, updated January 2026). French national health insurance does not reimburse it; some top-up insurers offer a yearly allowance. Many add workshops in companies or paid sessions in care homes, which smooths income from one month to the next.

The hard parts

• Anyone can enter the job, so competition is strong and building a client base takes time.
• Science shows no effect on illnesses: you must stay honest, promise nothing and know when to refer to a doctor.
• Your hands and back work all day: posture, breaks and stretches are essential to last.

Sources: Onisep — Fiche métier Réflexologue · France Compétences — RNCP32054 Réflexologue (inactive) · Cochrane Australia / NHMRC — Reflexology for any health condition (2024) · Santé.fr — Pratiques de soins non conventionnelles (enquête DGCCRF) · April — Réflexologie : prix et remboursement (janvier 2026)