The Growing Need for Certified Lymphedema Therapists
More than 10 million Americans live with lymphedema, and oncology, orthopedic, cosmetic-surgery, and wound-care programs are scrambling to hire therapists who can provide Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). Hospitals, private practices, and home-health agencies increasingly require the “CLT” credential to bill for advanced edema management. If you’re a PT, OT, nurse, massage therapist, or physician assistant looking to future-proof your career, becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist is one of the fastest ways to expand both your clinical toolbox and your earning potential.
The Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy has trained more than 8,500 clinicians since 1998 and remains the gold-standard provider of CDT certification in North America. Below, you’ll learn exactly why their 135-hour hybrid course stands out—and how you can save $400 on select 2025 dates.
What Is Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)?
CDT is the evidence-based, four-part protocol regarded worldwide as the definitive treatment for primary or secondary lymphedema:
- Manual Lymph Drainage (Vodder Technique) – a gentle, systematic massage that reroutes lymph fluid around blocked pathways.
- Compression Therapy – multi-layer short-stretch bandaging that maintains volume reductions between sessions and prepares limbs for garments.
- Remedial Exercise – bandage-assisted movement patterns that activate the musculo-skeletal pump.
- Skin & Nail Care – infection prevention through meticulous hygiene and product selection.
Mastery of these skills lets you create individualized programs that reduce limb volume, minimize cellulitis risk, and radically improve quality of life.
Norton School’s CDT Certification at a Glance
| Feature | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 135 (90 classroom + 45 structured home study) | Meets LANA exam eligibility and most state CEU requirements. |
| Course Length | 9 consecutive days on-site (8 a.m.–7 p.m.) | Finish in just over a week without multiple travel blocks. |
| Tuition | $3,300 (deposit $900) | Comparable to other programs—but see the $400 discount below. |
| Eligibility | PT, PTA, OT, COTA, SLP, RN/LPN, MD/DO, PA, NP, ATC, DC, MT* | Multidisciplinary cohorts foster richer clinical dialogue. |
| Materials | Textbook, bandage kits, streaming video library, lifetime referral listing | Immediate clinical readiness; ongoing marketing support. |
| Certification | “CLT—MLD/CDT (Vodder Technique)” upon passing written & practical exams | Recognized by insurers, oncology centers, and the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). |
*Massage therapists must document a 500-hour program or NCBTMB certification.
Six Reasons Clinicians Choose Norton School
Hybrid Learning That Respects Your Time
- Complete 45 hours of theoretical modules online before you arrive, so classroom time focuses on hands-on skills.
Faculty Who Practice What They Teach
- Lead instructor Steve Norton, PT, CLT-LANA, co-authored Lymphedema Management and pioneered hospital-based CDT programs. Every faculty member actively treats patients, ensuring current, evidence-driven content.
Immersive, Supportive Classroom Culture
- Small instructor-to-student ratios, patient demos, and peer-to-peer practice build confidence quickly. Graduates consistently rave about the “uplifting, engaging learning environment.”
Career-Long Resources
- Lifetime listing in the Norton Therapist Referral Database and free access to LymphedemaJobs.com keep your résumé in front of employers.
Practical Business Modules
- Billing & reimbursement lectures detail CPT/ICD-10 coding, marketing strategies, and productivity benchmarks—knowledge that turns a new skill set into a thriving service line.
Unmatched Alumni Network
- Join thousands of CLTs working in leading cancer centers such as MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic, and Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Special Tuition on Select Locations
Norton School posted a limited-time promotion: Save $400 on the following Complete Decongestive Therapy courses when you register before the early-bird deadline.
| Dates (2025) | Location | Host Facility |
|---|---|---|
| June 21–29 | San Antonio, Texas | Bexar County Hospital District |
| July 12–20 | Vancouver, Washington | Gepina Method Lymphatics & Cohesive Therapy |
Pro-tip: Can’t make those dates? Check the full schedule for additional cities or join the waitlist. New cohorts open every 6–8 weeks.
2025 Lymphedema Course Schedule
Inside the Nine Intensive Days
| Day | Focus | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology | Map superficial & deep lymphatic pathways; identify stages of lymphedema. |
| 3–4 | Manual Lymph Drainage labs | Perform neck, trunk, and limb sequences; modify strokes for incisions and flaps. |
| 5–6 | Compression bandaging | Master upper & lower-extremity multilayer wraps; troubleshoot pressure gradients. |
| 7 | Differential diagnosis & adjunct modalities | Distinguish venous, lipedema, and mixed edema; integrate IPC, kinesiotaping. |
| 8 | Patient evaluation & billing | Circumference/volume measurements; craft goals; code 97140, 97530, 97016 effectively. |
| 9 | Practical & written exams, discharge planning | Demonstrate full CDT session; write a defensible plan of care. |
By Day 9 you’ll have treated real patients, decongesting limbs by up to 40 %, fitted short-stretch bandages, and scripted maintenance programs—skills you can bill for the very next week.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Five SEO-Friendly Tips to Maximize Your New Credential
- Use “Certified Lymphedema Therapist” in Your Online Bios – Google crawlers reward exact-match, title-case keywords.
- Claim Your Free Norton Therapist Referral Profile – High-authority backlinks from nortonschool.com boost your site’s Domain Rating.
- Write Blog Posts on “Complete Decongestive Therapy for [Specialty]” – Long-tail keywords convert better and position you as a thought leader.
- Publish Before/After Limb Volume Case Studies – Visual content earns shares and dwell time, two ranking factors for local search.
- List CDT Services on Google Business Profile – Include “lymphedema treatment,” “manual lymph drainage,” and your city for hyperlocal visibility.
How to Register Today
- Visit the CDT Lymphedema Certification Course page.
- Click “Register” next to your preferred location.
- Enter promo code SAVE400 at checkout (where applicable).
- Secure your seat with the $900 deposit; your balance is due two weeks before class.
Have questions? Call Program Director Liz Rivas at (866) 808-2249 or email Liz.Rivas@NortonSchool.com for personalized guidance.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re eager to launch a standalone lymphedema clinic, add specialty services to your outpatient department, or simply make a bigger impact on cancer survivorship, Norton School’s CDT Certification equips you with the most in-demand skill set in rehab medicine. Spots fill quickly—especially with the $400 discount—so act now and join the next generation of Certified Lymphedema Therapists shaping patient care in 2025 and beyond.
