FAQs for Applicants

How can I qualify for the IBLCE certification exam for lactation consultants?
All applicants need experience in providing care to breastfeeding families and coursework in human lactation and breastfeeding. IBLCE has established three eligibility pathways through which applicants may qualify.

Who is eligible to apply for the IBLCE certification exam for lactation consultants?
Health care professionals, such as nurses, midwives, dieticians and physicians, mother-to-mother breastfeeding counselors and breastfeeding peer counselors are eligible through Pathway 1. Individuals without any experience in providing care to breastfeeding families may seek eligibility by completing an academic program in human lactation (Pathway 2) or by completing a mentored lactation education plan (Pathway 3).

Which eligibility pathway is best for me?
The three pathways are defined by the way in which applicants obtain their clinical experience in providing care to breastfeeding families. The Pathway Wizard will assist you in deciding which pathway is best for you. If you have recent paid or volunteer on-the-job experience in helping breastfeeding families, you MAY meet the requirements for Pathway 1. Without recent experience in providing care to breastfeeding families, pathways 2 or 3 MAY be your best options.

 

I’m not sure that my work experience in providing care to breastfeeding families meets IBLCE’s requirement.

IBLCE requires that you obtain your on-the-job experience in a setting in which supervision appropriate to your scope of practice is provided.

For example, if you are a physician or midwife, your scope of practice may permit you to work without on-site supervision and, therefore, your experience in providing care to breastfeeding families could be used to qualify through Pathway 1.

On the other hand, if you are a nurse, dietitian or breastfeeding peer counselor, your scope of practice does not allow you to work as independently as a physician or midwife and your experience must be completed in a setting where your supervisor works in the same location that you work and is available to assist you if you need help.

Mother support group leaders must be accredited by an organization that meets IBLCE’s requirements. For example, if you are a La Leche League Leader, you may receive up to 500 hours of clinical experience credit for each year of active service in the past 5 years.

If these examples do not fit your circumstances or if you need more information, use our Pathway Wizard.

Does my personal experience breastfeeding my own children count toward meeting the eligibility requirements?
Personal experience breastfeeding your own children and experience helping family members and friends may not be used to qualify for the IBLCE certification exam.

What are the employment opportunities for IBCLCs who are not health care professionals?
Employment of IBCLCs who are not health care professionals has increased over the years since the IBCLC credential was first awarded. Nevertheless, many health care institutions prefer to hire IBCLCs who hold a health care license or registration.

I’m a registered nurse. May I get credit for the time I spend helping breastfeeding families?
Any licensed/registered health care professional may use their on-the-job experience helping breastfeeding families to qualify under Pathway 1. The experience used to qualify for the IBLCE certification exam must have been obtained within the 5 years immediately prior to applying for the exam.

I’m a La Leche League Leader. May I use my volunteer work to count toward meeting the clinical experience requirement?
Accredited, volunteer mother-to-mother breastfeeding support counselors may use their experience. Every year of service counts as 500 hours of experience in providing care to breastfeeding families. A La Leche League Leader will need at least 2 years of active service that was completed within the 5 years immediately prior to applying for the exam.

I’m a breastfeeding peer counselor. May I use my experience to qualify for the IBLCE exam?
If you work in a setting in which your work supervisor is on-site and available to assist you when needed, you may use your on-the-job experience to qualify under Pathway 1.

I provide breastfeeding counseling and support to families but I do not have an on-site supervisor. May I use my on-the-job experience to qualify for the IBLCE exam?
Without on-site supervision, your work experience may not be used to qualify for the IBLCE exam.

May an individual who provides breastfeeding counseling through a private practice qualify under Pathway 1?
Physicians, midwives and other health care professionals whose scope of practice and license or registration permit them to work independently may use their clinical experience. Individuals who are not health care professionals must get their experience within a supervised setting or through service as an accredited, volunteer mother-to-mother support group counselor.

For several years, I’ve practiced as a certified doula. May I count these hours?
Unless you have been working under the supervision of a midwife, IBCLC or other health care professional, your hours may not be used to meet the clinical experience requirement.

I own a store that sells and rents breastfeeding supplies and equipment. I help lots of my customers with their breastfeeding questions and problems. May I use this experience to qualify for the IBLCE exam?
You may not use this experience to qualify. IBLCE requires that clinical experience be obtained in a setting where supervision appropriate to your training is provided.

Ten years ago, I worked as a dietician in a local hospital. May I use my experience helping breastfeeding families to qualify for the IBLCE exam?
Under Pathway 1, your clinical experience must have been obtained within the 5 years immediately prior to applying for the exam. However, IBLCE is making it possible for individuals like you to qualify under the former eligibility requirements. This option is available until April 30, 2011. Contact us for more information about this option.

I’m a La Leche League Leader and, in addition to my regular group duties, I volunteer on the national helpline. May I count the hours I work on the helpline to qualify with less than 2 years experience as a group leader?
You may not use this additional volunteer experience in order to qualify with less than 2 years service as an active group leader.

I’m a midwife and I spend only a portion of my time helping mothers with breastfeeding. How do I calculate my clinical experience hours?
Make an estimate of the amount of time you spend every day or week and multiply this amount by the number of hours you work every day or week. For example, you estimate that you spend 20% of your time providing lactation care and you work 40 hours per week. This estimate means that you spend about 8 hours per week or about 400 hours per year (8 hours/week x 50 weeks/year) helping breastfeeding families. At this rate, you would need 2.5 years of experience in order to qualify for the IBLCE exam.

I want to enroll in an academic program in human lactation and breastfeeding. Can you help me find a program?
At this time, we are aware of only a few programs that meet IBLCE’s minimum requirements for academic programs. Please contact us for more information.

I want to follow Pathway 3. What should I do first?
Please download and review the Pathway 3 Guide. Please note that if you plan to take the exam in 2011 or 2012, the application postmark deadline is September 30, 2010.

 

May I fax my application to IBLCE?

Yes, but only if you are paying by credit card. Our fax number is 703-560-7332.  Please do not mail in the application if you have already faxed it to us.