To receive Usui Reiki attunements you dont need to take the classes.I have a friend who went through the hundreds of dollars of classes,for each level,and then upon completion of Masters level gives out attunements for free. I was first to receive Masters level from her,and read the books,which contain the info from the classes.
Dianne Stein did this for hundreds of people,and her books are great.It brings Reiki out of a New Age Business,and back into the universal realm where everyone has access to it.
As CJ says,we are all born with Reiki energy,its a just a matter of going beyond our conditioning and accessing it.

There are many that paid vast amounts to get their training and attunements, struggled to make ends meet and find the money, and now many have turned the tables and teach and attune for free. Why should financial worries stop anyone from learning about reiki? I personally don't think it should!

And if the student doesn't want to then use their learning professionally and has no need to be insured then there is very little problem. The trouble arises when the need for insurance means a need for a certificate, and those aren't that easy to get from some sources?

I know this board is called 'Reiki' the japanese form energy healing. but it really should cover all the different energy healing therapies. The Chinese and Ayurvedic, shaman, medicine woman and Celtic and Egyptian, ki, prana, chi, sekhem, doso, qi, life force, you name it, they all have incredible power

The insurance industry has paid havoc to many Activities previously taken for granted in Oz.
I personally will give Reiki Attunements to any one for free. I helped my friend pay for her Attunements. It really helped my life receiving them,and so feel,like you say Gem,money should be no object to getting Masters Reiki,or any of the healing arts

I bet you have an interesting story to tell about your attunements

yes Gem,if it wasnt for Reiki and my willpower, life would have become a whole lot worse.
There are some very jealous and evil people in Oz,mascerading as healers and magicians,that use all sorts of trickery to try and gain power for themselves   ,and no I dont mean the politicians,this time . Reiki cant be used for evil,hense why it attracted me to it.