First degree:-
The first degree Reiki course teaches the basic theories and procedures of how to work with  Reiki energy. The channel through which Reiki energy passes to the practitioner  is  said  to  be opened  or  widened  through  four "attunements" given to the student by the teacher. Students  learn  hand  placement  positions  on  the  recipient's body that are thought to be most conducive to the healing process in a whole body treatment. Having completed the first degree course, the participant can treat himself and others with  Reiki. The  course  duration  is  typically two days, although this varies widely.

Second degree:-
In the second degree Reiki course, the student learns the use of three symbols (illustrated  here  Reiki  Symbols) which are said to enhance the healing effect and allow for distance healing. Another attunement is given  which is said to further increase the capacity for Reiki to flow through the student, as well as empowering  the use  of  the symbols. Having completed the second level, the student can treat people  with  Reiki  without  being  physically present with the recipient. The first degree is a prerequisite for  the second  degree, which  is  usually taught over two days, although this varies considerably.

Third degree or master training:-
Through  the  third  degree, or "master training", the  student becomes a Reiki Master. (In Reiki terminology, the word 'master' does not imply spiritual enlightenment.) One or more attunements are carried out  and  the student learns a further master-level symbol. Having completed the master  training, the  new  Reiki  Master  can  attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees of Reiki. The first and  second  degrees  are  prerequisites  for the master training. The duration of the master training can be anything from a day to a year or  more, depending on the school and philosophy of the Reiki Master giving the training. In the case  of  comprehensive  training, the third level is often broken into two or three smaller stages ofattunements and teaching.

Variations:-
There is much  variation in training methods, speeds and costs, as there is no regulation of Reiki. Students on the traditional path may be made to wait up to a year or more after the first level, before being allowed  to learn  the second  degree, and  there  after many more years before being taught the master level. Other teachers, taking a non-traditional  approach, might  cover  all  three  levels  within  a  few  days. Correspondence courses over the Internet even offer distance training. Some traditionalists maintain that any  method  that  teaches  Reiki "quickly" cannot yield as strong an effect, because there is no substitute for experience and patient mastery of the art.

Whilst masters affiliated to the Reiki Alliance or the Reiki Network teach within the three level structure outlined above, The Radiance Technique®/Authentic Reiki® teaches a seven level system.

Many independent teachers combine Reiki with other techniques, such as working with crystals, colour therapy, spirit guides or visualization. Such methods are sometimes included as part of a Reiki course.