Obtaining CERPs

For recertifying IBCLCs, the 75 CERPs required for recertification must be accumulated over the five-year period since last taking the exam.  Excess continuing education obtained prior to taking the exam may not be retained and used later.

CERPs are offered by a variety of educational opportunities including seminars and sessions at conferences, courses and workshops for lactation professionals, presentations offered by local lactation consultant associations, independent study modules, distance and on-line learning and independent study modules.  See the List of CERP Providers for contact information on organizations whose programs have already been approved by IBLCE for CERPs.  The International Lactation Consultant Association’s website is also a good resource for educational opportunities for IBCLCs around the world. 

In addition, IBCLCs may earn CERPs for education not already approved for CERPs.  In order to be used by IBCLCs who are recertifying by CERPs, these educational offerings must be evaluated by IBLCE to determine the type and number of CERPs, if any, to be awarded.  When requesting review by IBLCE, you must submit a completed Application for Individual CERPs, all required documentation and the review fee.  Examples of these types of educational offerings are grouped below.

Continuing Education Not Already Approved for CERPs

IBLCE will review the following types of education for CERPs eligibility:

» in-service and continuing education offered by other health professions

» structured discussion sessions with colleagues

» independent study modules or distance education

» preparation and presentation of a topic to other health professionals or group of IBCLCs

» college or university courses relevant to the work of an IBCLC

» participation in a planned sharing group of IBCLCs, e.g. a journal club

» an infant or adult cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course

Publications  

Publications specific to human lactation may be eligible for CERPs.  These publications include:

» article or abstract in a peer-review journal

» chapter in an edited book

» masters or doctoral thesis

» poster presentation

» video for health professionals

» original hospital protocol or policy

To download a copy of the Application for Individual CERPs, click here.

IBCLCs may also earn CERPs by submitting questions or photographs for use on the IBLCE exam and through clinical observation of another IBCLC.  These methods of obtaining CERPs require submission of the respective application forms, supporting documentation and fee.

Writing Exam Questions

Questions and/or photographs for the IBLCE exam will be reviewed for CERPs eligibility:

» write referenced questions

» submit clinical photographs or slides (digital photographs preferred)

To download a copy of the CERPs for Exam Questions Application, click here.

Clinical Observation

IBCLCs may receive L-CERPs for clinical observation of another IBCLC.  Such clinical observation is subject to the following requirements:

» the IBCLC being observed must have recertified at least once

» one (1) CERP will be awarded for every 120 minutes of clinical observation time

» application should be made as soon as possible after the clinical observation

To download a copy of the CERPs for Clinical Observation Application, click here.