Since 1998, The Lymphology Association of North America has served as a sentinel to ensure that Certified Lymphedema Therapists receive proper training. For nearly a quarter century, passing the LANA exam has been a symbol of having achieved the pinnacle of knowledge and proficiency in the treatment of diseases of the lymphatic system.

By requiring those who elect to sit for the LANA exam to receive hands on training in manual lymphatic drainage and bandaging techniques, LANA has ensured the safety of milliions of patients with diseases that require the highest level of specialization. Heretofore, the training programs that have received accreditation by LANA have required students to attend an in-person, hands on lab component as part of the 135 hour minimum certification programs. This is about to change.

On November 3rd 2021, LANA announced that it was changing it's eligibility requirements to allow for graduates of 100% virtually taught programs to sit for the LANA exam. LANA will now only require schools to perform in-person assessments of their students at the end of their training programs. These changes are problematic on many levels.

We the undersigned strongly oppose the changes made by LANA's Board of Directors for the following primary reasons:

1. We believe removing the hands-on training component of CLT programs will put fragile patients who are in dire need of highly qualified and specialized practitioners at risk of receiving substandard care from unqualified practitioners.

2. We believe that these changes will negatively impact the integrity of CLT training programs, by lowering the bar for what is considered effective training programs.

3. We believe the credibility of The Lymphology Association of North America is on the line.

Please join us by signing this petition in support of maintaining the hands on training requirement by LANA to ensure the proper education of future CLTs.