About Us
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. It was established to develop and administer a certification examination for lactation consultants. Founded in 1985, IBLCE administers annual examinations, in multiple languages and at numerous sites around the world.
In the latter half of the twentieth century, many scientific studies validated the benefits of breastfeeding. At the same time, mother support organizations were developing a significant body of breastfeeding management skills. From this knowledge, a new allied health care profession began to emerge--lactation consulting.
As an international leader in providing guidelines for breastfeeding and mother-to-mother support, La Leche League International made a commitment to facilitate the development of standards for this new field. A panel of experts representing a variety of health professions, backgrounds, and geographic locations were involved in determining the dimensions of knowledge and skill that are necessary for practice as a lactation consultant. The scientific disciplines and developmental stages identified by this expert panel are continually reviewed by the Board of Directors and, over the years, additional scientific disciplines and developmental stages have been added to the IBLCE Exam Blueprint. This blueprint continues to be the basis for the development of certification standards for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
The IBLCE certification program for lactation consultants has been continuously accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) since 1988. Candidates who pass the certification exam are awarded the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential.
Last updated July 27, 2011
