• Steps to Becoming an IBCLC
• Exam Requirements Overview
• Pathways
• FAQs about Becoming an IBCLC
• Apply for the IBLCE Exam
• Candidate Information Guide
• Exam Candidate Supplement
• General Education Guidelines

Exam Requirements Overview

All candidates for IBCLC certification need to complete education and experience in the following areas:

• General education in the health sciences
• Education in human lactation and breastfeeding
• Clinical experience in providing lactation and breastfeeding care

For complete information about all of the above requirements, please download the Candidate Information Guide.

• All general education requirements must be completed prior to applying for the IBLCE exam.

• The General Education requirements include 8 higher education subjects and 6 additional topics that may be completed through continuing education or by taking college/university courses.

Please Note: The definition of what constitutes completion of compulsory education varies from country to country.

At least one course in eight (8) higher education subjects is required. 

• Candidates must have a passing grade in each course.
• Each course must be at least one academic term in length and completed at an accredited institution of higher learning.
  • Academic term varies from school to school. Semesters, trimesters, quarters and "mini-mesters" are all acceptable academic terms.
• There is no time limit on this education. It is acceptable if it was completed some time ago.
• This coursework may be completed as in-person classroom education or through distance learning methods such as on-line courses.
• An transcript showing the name of the school, course name and a passing grade is sufficient to document completion of study in the following 8 subjects.

• Biology
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Infant and Child Growth and Development
• Nutrition
• Psychology or Counseling or Communication Skills
• Introduction to Research
• Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology

Some schools offer courses that will satisfy more than one of the higher education requirements. For example, it is common for both human anatomy and physiology to be combined into one course.

Additional General Education

• There is no time limit on when these courses must be completed. Courses completed some time ago will be accepted.
• A certificate of completion for each continuing education course or a transcript, if the course is taken at an institution of higher learning, will satisfy documentation requirements.

• Basic life support (e. g. CPR): A variety of basic life support courses such as Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Neonatal Pulmonary Resuscitation (NPR) will meet this requirement.

• Medical documentation: Individuals who want to become IBCLCs need instruction in how and why it is necessary to provide succinct, comprehensive records that accurately reflect the care provided to clients.

• Medical terminology: In order to function as respected members of the health care team, IBCLCs must have a good understanding and use of basic medical terminology.

• Occupational safety and security for health professionals: It is important for IBCLCs to have training in personal safety and security measures such as how to avoid back injuries and latex allergies, as well as how to deal with violence and stress.

• Professional ethics for health professionals: IBCLCs must know how to conduct themselves professionally and ethically. This includes an understanding of ethical principles such as confidentiality, informed consent and conflict of interest.

• Universal safety precautions and infection control: IBCLCs must know how to protect themselves and their client/patients against exposure to disease and how to prevent spread of disease through effective sanitation measures.

The following health professionals are considered to have already completed all of the General Education courses: 

• Chiropractor
• Dentist/Dental Hygienist
• Dietitian/Nutritionist
• Midwife
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Pharmacist
• Psychologist/Social Worker
• Physical Therapist/Physiotherapist
• Physician/Medical Doctor
• Physician’s Assistant
• Speech Pathologist/Therapist

When applying for the IBLCE exam,  these health professionals will be asked to identify their profession and submit a copy of their license, registration, diploma or transcript.

Individuals who are not one of these recognized health professionals should evaluate their higher education transcripts to determine if they have studied any or all of the required general education subjects. For more information about the general education requirements, including sample course descriptions and suggestions about courses that may qualify for more than one subject, please consult the General Education Guidelines.

The lactation specific education must provide evidence-based instruction and be completed within the five years immediately prior to applying for the exam. Candidates must complete at least 90 hours of education in human lactation and breastfeeding.

• The 90 hours are instructional hours, not academic credit hours, and must be completed within the past 5 years.

Please Note: If you agree to, sign and abide by the terms and conditions of  a Memorandum of Understanding, you may apply for the exam prior to completing the lactation specific education.

  Lactation specific education may b  e completed in a variety of ways, including in-person presentations, online education, distance learning and independent study modules.

• The standards established by the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC) provide candidates with guidance regarding the educational quality of courses in human lactation and breastfeeding.
  • LEAARC-approved courses have met specific standards indicating that the course provides a comprehensive lactation specific education.

• Another source of education in human lactation and breastfeeding are courses that are approved by IBLCE for Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs). Courses approved for CERPs provide instruction in the disciplines listed on the IBLCE Exam Blueprint.
  • Please note that CERP-approved education is intended for individuals who are already certified as IBCLCs and, therefore, may be at a more advanced level than education intended for individuals seeking IBCLC certification.
    • Please Note: IBLCE exam candidates are not required to take CERP-approved education. CERPs are required by recertifying IBCLCs, not exam candidates.
  • IBLCE maintains a list of providers who offer CERP-approved education.

 

Clinical Experience in Lactation and Breastfeeding Care

 

Candidates for the IBLCE exam must have experience in providing care to breastfeeding families. The ability to apply the knowledge gained through classroom and personal study is dependent upon having broad clinical experience.

• Observation, or shadowing, of lactation care practitioners may not be counted toward meeting the clinical practice requirement for the IBLCE exam.
  • Candidates may count only those hours in which they actually provided care to breastfeeding families.
• The clinical experience must be obtained in a setting in which the supervision is appropriate to the candidate's knowledge level and scope of practice.
• All required clinical practice hours must be completed prior to applying for the exam.

The required clinical practice must be completed within the 5 years immediately prior to exam application. Experience obtained more than 5 years prior to exam application may not be used to qualify.

Last Updated December 8, 2011