> Important: This article is informational only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney in your area before making legal decisions about your practice.

Pennsylvania makes fortune-telling for money a third-degree misdemeanor - up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine - unless the practitioner displays a "for entertainment purposes only" disclaimer. That single requirement is the most concrete example of why legal disclaimers for tarot readings aren't just marketing language. In at least one state, the absence of a disclaimer changes the legal classification of your service.

Source: legalreader.com/tarot-reading-in-the-us-legal-rights-and-restrictions (fetched 2026-06-21).

The US Legal Landscape

There is no federal law governing tarot or astrology readings for compensation. What exists is a patchwork of state and local ordinances - and it varies enormously.

States With Outright Bans

The following states ban fortune-telling for money entirely, based on research from legalreader.com (2026-06-21):

- Oklahoma - complete ban on fortune-telling for compensation
- Wisconsin - complete ban
- Minnesota - complete ban
- North Carolina - complete ban

Note: enforcement in these states tends to focus on fraud cases (curse-removal scams, high-pressure schemes) rather than straightforward tarot or astrology practices. That said, operating commercially in these states without legal counsel carries documented risk.

States With Licensing Requirements

- Massachusetts - requires a license to practice fortune-telling
- Warren, Michigan (city-level) - requires fingerprinting, a police background check, and an annual license costing $150

State-Specific Laws

New York: New York Penal Law § 165.35 prohibits fortune-telling for compensation when the practitioner "claims or pretends to tell fortunes" using occult powers. The statute includes an exemption for "stage shows, entertainment, and amusement" - which is why entertainment-only framing has legal relevance beyond general positioning.

Pennsylvania: Taking money for fortune-telling is a third-degree misdemeanor. The display of an "for entertainment purposes only" disclaimer is explicitly referenced as the distinction between compliant and non-compliant practice.

Florida: No professional license required if no fee is charged. Fee-based readings exist in a less defined space.

California: No statewide prohibition.

Source: legalreader.com (2026-06-21); improvemagic.com/what-disclaimers-should-a-tarot-reader-have (2026-06-21).

Constitutional Context

The First Amendment protects free tarot readings as expression. Once payment is involved, the constitutional protections become "less clear-cut" - the commercial nature of the transaction changes the analysis. Enforcement historically focuses on fraud (large sums extracted under false pretenses, curse-removal schemes) rather than straightforward paid readings with honest positioning.

Source: legalreader.com (2026-06-21).

What to Put in Your Disclaimer

The standard language used across the professional community, consistent with the American Tarot Association's code of ethics:

> "This reading is for entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice. The reader does not claim to predict the future with certainty. Please consult a qualified professional for any decisions of significant consequence."

Source: improvemagic.com (2026-06-21); American Tarot Association code of ethics.

Where to Display It

- Website footer: Permanent, always-visible placement
- Booking page: Before the client completes a booking or payment
- Email receipts and booking confirmations: Reinforces before the session
- At the start of the reading itself: Verbal acknowledgment for live sessions; written preamble for email readings

Examples of real practitioner disclaimers worth reviewing:
- teachmetarot.com/about-course/terms-and-conditions/legal-disclaimer
- guiltycrowtarot.com/legal-disclaimercode-of-ethics.html
- starsagespirit.com/tarot-disclosure

Non-US Practitioners

UK: The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 requires honest representation of services. "Entertainment only" framing helps establish that you're not claiming predictive certainty as a factual matter.

EU: Varies by member state. The research available does not include a verified jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction breakdown for EU countries - consult a local legal professional if you're practicing in the EU.

What the Disclaimer Does Not Do

A disclaimer is not a blanket shield against all legal action. It does not:
- Override a state ban on paid fortune-telling
- Protect against fraud claims if you make specific guarantees and don't deliver
- Remove licensing requirements where they exist
- Substitute for professional legal advice

The disclaimer's practical function is to frame the service correctly, reduce misrepresentation claims, and - in states like Pennsylvania - satisfy an explicit legal requirement.

American Tarot Association Code of Ethics

The ATA code includes these relevant commitments:
- Encourage the client's own inner guidance rather than create dependency
- Not recommend major life decisions based on a reading alone
- Refer clients to qualified professionals when appropriate
- Not diagnose medical or psychological conditions

Source: improvemagic.com (2026-06-21).

Legal Disclaimers for Tarot and Astrology Readings