Our Verification Standard

01. Eligibility for listing

Before a therapist can be listed, they must:

• provide evidence of an accepted course from a recognised MLD school, listed in section 03 below;
• provide a current professional insurance document relevant to the MLD services they declare;
• provide personal and practice information consistent with the submitted documents;
• agree to maintain accurate profile information;
• accept the Code of Conduct, Badge Terms of Use and Membership Terms; and
• complete The MLD Register's manual verification process.

Payment alone does not secure entry. A profile is published only after the applicable requirements have been met.

02. What we independently review

MLD training documentation

The applicant provides their training certificate or equivalent formal evidence. The verification reviewer considers:

• the name of the certificate holder;
• the issuing school or training provider;
• the exact programme or method completed;
• the recorded training level or scope;
• the completion date;
• whether the programme falls within an accepted training pathway; and
• whether the document is internally consistent and appears authentic.

Where clarification is required, further evidence may be requested or the issuing provider may be contacted.

The training provider, programme or method and the relevant level or scope are recorded without renaming the qualification or presenting it as something it is not.

Current professional insurance

The applicant provides their current professional insurance schedule or equivalent insurer-issued evidence. The verification reviewer considers:

• the name of the insured practitioner;
• the policy or cover dates;
• whether the document is current;
• whether the document appears to show professional cover relevant to the MLD services declared; and
• whether the insured name is consistent with the application and training documentation.

The stated insurance expiry date is recorded so that renewal can be monitored.

The review confirms the information visible within the document supplied. It does not constitute insurance advice, an assessment of the adequacy of the policy for every circumstance or a guarantee that an insurer will meet a future claim.

Review by a person

Every application is reviewed manually. Automated systems may support document management, status updates and reminders, but no application is automatically approved.

Publication following successful review

Once the required training and insurance checks have been completed successfully, the therapist is assigned a registration number and their profile is approved for publication.

Where evidence is incomplete or does not meet the published criteria, the applicant is told what is required and is given 14 days to provide clarification or further documentation. Where the matter cannot be resolved, the application is declined and the reserved place is released; no payment is taken before public launch, so nothing is charged.

03. Recognised training pathways

The MLD Register recognises defined programmes and qualification levels rather than endorsing an entire training organisation without distinction. Recognition of a named school or provider applies only to the relevant programmes and levels accepted under this Standard.

Recognised clinical MLD schools and methods

The principal recognised pathways include:

• Vodder - Dr Vodder Academy International and recognised course providers;
• Casley-Smith - including relevant CaSLE pathways;
• Földi - including relevant courses delivered through Klose Training;
• Leduc; and
• Lymphoedema Training Academy - LTA Fill and Flush.

The method and the course completed are recorded, because different courses support different scopes of practice and search eligibility.

Specifically recognised specialist postoperative training

The Register also recognises:

• Aftercare Academy, Advanced MLD & Treatment Protocols.

Recognition applies to the specific courses listed below, and does not extend automatically to every course offered by Aftercare Academy.

Acceptance of those courses relates to the postoperative scope they teach. It does not confer a lymphoedema or Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy designation unless the therapist separately provides evidence of the relevant qualifying training.

The courses accepted as an entry qualification

A qualification is accepted when the applicant was assessed, not merely present. A certificate of attendance is not a qualification, and hours alone do not decide it: an introductory course and the course above it can run for the same number of days.

Vodder

• Level 1 Basic - not accepted on its own.
• Level 2 Applied MLD.
• Level 3 Lymphoedema Management - including work with lymphoedema and swelling after cancer treatment.

Casley-Smith

• Certification in Advanced Practice in Lymphoedema Management - including work with lymphoedema and swelling after cancer treatment.

Földi/Klose

• Lymphedema Therapy Certification - including work with lymphoedema and swelling after cancer treatment.
• MLD Certification (CMLDT).

Leduc

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage certification.

LTA Fill and Flush

• Lymphoedema Rehabilitation Programme (LRP) - including work with lymphoedema and swelling after cancer treatment.
• Advanced Management for Manual Therapists (AMMT) - including work with lymphoedema and swelling after cancer treatment.
• Lymphoedema Management for Manual Therapists (LMMT).
• Lymphoedema Management of the Arm and Trunk (LMAT).
• Introduction to MLD (FG-MLD).

Aftercare Academy

• Advanced MLD & Treatment Protocols.

Where a therapist holds a qualification from a provider outside this list, the training hours stated on the certificate are considered instead, and 130 hours or more of training is the threshold applied to lymphoedema eligibility. That figure follows the training standard described in the British Journal of Community Nursing (2024), An overview of manual lymphatic drainage, citing MLD UK. The named course is always considered first: several recognised lymphoedema qualifications run for fewer hours than that and are accepted on the strength of the course itself.

The profile displays the actual provider and course completed. A qualification is never renamed as though it had been awarded by a different recognised school.

04. Scope-specific search eligibility

A therapist's appearance within a particular search pathway may depend on either independently reviewed training evidence or therapist-reported experience. The distinction must remain clear.

Qualification-led pathways

Where a search pathway requires a particular training level - for example, work with lymphoedema or a compromised lymphatic system - the therapist must provide evidence of the relevant accepted qualification. A general MLD or specialist postoperative qualification does not automatically create eligibility for a lymphoedema or Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy search category.

The profile displays the training method and level so that patients can see the basis on which the therapist appears within the pathway.

Postoperative procedure searches

Patients may search by the specific surgery or postoperative procedure they have undergone. The procedures shown on an individual therapist's profile are selected and described by the therapist. They represent the therapist's own statement of the procedures they have experience supporting.

The MLD Register does not independently audit:

• the number of postoperative clients treated;
• the length or frequency of that experience;
• individual case histories;
• clinical performance;
• professional judgement; or
• treatment outcomes.

Procedure-specific experience is therefore displayed as therapist-reported, separately from the training and insurance information independently reviewed by the Register.

Other practice information

Unless explicitly marked as independently reviewed, the following information is supplied by the therapist:

• biography and professional description;
• conditions and areas of work;
• years in practice;
• fees and cancellation arrangements;
• home-visit availability;
• practice locations;
• appointment availability;
• website and booking links;
• professional memberships; and
• photographs and other profile content.

Members are required under the Code of Conduct to keep this information accurate and current. The Register may request evidence, clarification or correction where information appears misleading or a concern is raised.

05. Reviews and ratings

Patient reviews remain separate from The MLD Register's verification process.

Google reviews originate from Google. Client reviews collected through the Register's own Review system originate here. The source of each review should be identified clearly wherever it is displayed.

The MLD Register does not independently verify every statement or opinion contained within a third-party review.

Patient reviews do not form part of the training or insurance verification process and do not constitute an assessment or guarantee of treatment quality, clinical competence, future patient experience or outcomes.

Where a review is challenged, it is handled under the policy of the platform from which it originated and any applicable Register procedure.

06. What appears on a therapist profile

A current member profile may display:

• the therapist's registration number;
• the recognised school, provider or programme recorded;
• the MLD method and training level or scope;
• the date the training documentation was reviewed;
• confirmation that a current professional insurance document has been reviewed;
• the stated insurance expiry or current-to date;
• current registration status;
• Revalidated status, where applicable;
• therapist-reported surgery and procedure experience;
• practical practice information; and
• clearly sourced patient reviews.

The underlying training and insurance documents are not made public. They are stored securely and handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

07. What "verified" means

On The MLD Register, verified means that:

• an accepted training certificate or equivalent formal document has been independently reviewed;
• the name and qualification details recorded are consistent with the submitted evidence;
• a current professional insurance document has been independently reviewed;
• the relevant review was completed by a person;
• the applicable review information is displayed publicly; and
• the therapist's registration is currently active.

The live MLD Register badge reflects this current registration status and links directly to the member's public profile.

08. What "verified" does not mean

Verified does not mean that The MLD Register has:

• assessed or certified the therapist's clinical competence;
• observed the therapist carrying out treatment;
• assessed their professional judgement, communication or bedside manner;
• guaranteed treatment quality, safety or results;
• independently verified every statement about surgery-specific or procedure-specific experience;
• audited patient numbers, case histories or treatment outcomes;
• determined whether MLD is suitable for an individual patient;
• endorsed a particular treatment plan or health claim;
• guaranteed that a therapist is the right practitioner for every patient;
• assessed the adequacy of an insurance policy for every possible circumstance;
• guaranteed that an insurer will meet a claim;
• guaranteed patient enquiries, search-engine rankings or AI visibility; or
• conferred statutory, NHS, CQC, government or professional-body approval.

The badge is not a licence, statutory credential, clinical award or guarantee.

MLD and massage therapy are not statutorily regulated professions in the UK. The MLD Register is an independent document-verification and listing service; it is not a statutory regulator.

Patients should follow the timing, assessment and aftercare guidance provided by their surgeon, GP, cancer team or other medical professionals.

09. Maintaining current status

Keeping insurance evidence current

Current professional insurance is required throughout active registration. The Register records the expiry date shown on the reviewed document and sends renewal reminders before it is due.

If an updated document is not supplied, the profile is suspended from public search and the live badge stops showing active status until a current document has been reviewed.

Revalidated status

The Register uses a separate Revalidated status for members who provide evidence of an accepted MLD refresher, review or update completed within the previous 24 months.

Revalidated is a Register status. It is not statutory professional revalidation and does not replace any revalidation requirement applying to a regulated healthcare professional.

A member whose original recognised qualification remains verified may continue to be listed without the Revalidated marker, provided current insurance and all other membership requirements remain satisfied.

Profile accuracy and further review

Members must keep their profile information accurate. The Register may request updated documents, clarification or further evidence:

• at renewal;
• following a material profile change;
• where a concern is raised;
• where information appears inconsistent; or
• at any time reasonably required to protect the integrity of the Register.

10. Registration status

Active

The therapist currently meets the applicable listing requirements and has an active membership.

Suspended

The therapist's profile has been removed temporarily from public search while a document, insurance, conduct or other membership matter is resolved. A suspended therapist must not present themselves as currently active on The MLD Register.

Lapsed

The therapist's membership has ended or has not been renewed. The profile is no longer presented as active, and the live badge changes to an inactive state.

Removed

The therapist's registration has ended following a decision under the Membership Terms, Code of Conduct or Complaints Procedure. Where the applicable procedure requires a public record of removal, the Register displays the relevant status and date.

11. Founding and Featured status

Founding Member

Founding Member identifies a therapist who was successfully verified and accepted within the original founding cohort. It records the therapist's place within that cohort. It does not indicate a higher level of qualification, verification or clinical ability.

Founding Member status is displayed while the therapist's registration is active. The preferential founding renewal rate remains conditional upon continuous membership. If membership lapses and the therapist later rejoins, the then-current standard rate applies.

Featured Member

Featured Member identifies a member who has purchased clearly labelled enhanced placement. Featured placement changes visibility only. It does not alter the Verification Standard, the eligibility criteria, the documents reviewed or the meaning of verified status.

12. The live badge and Check a Therapist tool

The live MLD Register badge is served directly by the Register and links to the member's current public profile. If registration ceases to be active because of lapse, suspension, removal or an unresolved insurance expiry, the live badge stops displaying active status automatically.

Static badge files must be removed where registration is no longer active, in accordance with the Badge Terms of Use.

Any member of the public can use the Check a Therapist tool to search by name, town or registration number and view current Register status.

A therapist not appearing on The MLD Register is not necessarily unqualified. It means that The MLD Register has not independently reviewed and listed their training and insurance documents.

13. Independence and funding

The MLD Register is not owned by a training school, insurer or professional body. It is owned and operated by Truly Empowered Ltd, the company behind Therapy Webgenie and VerifiedPractitioner, with more than 20 years' experience empowering therapists and health professionals.

The Register is funded through published membership fees. Payment does not guarantee acceptance, and no membership tier receives a reduced verification process.

Recognition of a training programme is based on the published criteria rather than an ownership, commission, sponsorship or commercial relationship with the provider.

Featured placement and paid membership do not confer greater verification status or imply greater clinical ability.

The MLD Register is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, a charity, a statutory regulator, an insurer, a training school or a professional body unless an individual relationship is expressly stated.

14. Concerns, corrections and complaints

Anyone may raise a concern about:

• inaccurate profile information;
• misleading claims;
• misuse of the MLD Register badge;
• lapsed or inaccurate insurance information; or
• a possible breach of the Code of Conduct.

Straightforward factual corrections may be handled directly with the member. Concerns about professional conduct are considered under the published Complaints Procedure and may result in guidance, a formal warning, conditions, suspension or removal.

The Register cannot award compensation, determine clinical negligence or investigate a person who is not a member, although unauthorised use of the Register's name or badge may be pursued separately.

Medical emergencies and suspected criminal conduct should be referred to the appropriate emergency service or public authority.

Report a concern · Read the Complaints Procedure

15. Reviewing this Standard

This Standard is reviewed whenever the Register's eligibility criteria, document-review process or public-status system changes. Each published version should display:

• a version number;
• an effective date;
• the date of the most recent review; and
• a summary of any material amendment.

Where a change materially affects existing members, they are given appropriate notice and a fair opportunity to provide any newly required information.

Questions about eligibility, recognised programmes or the interpretation of this Standard may be submitted directly to The MLD Register.