Recertification
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLCs) must renew their certification every five years. Every ten years, IBCLCs must recertify by re-examination.
Recertification by Continuing Education
An IBCLC who passed the exam five years ago may choose to recertify by continuing education recognition points (CERPs).
An IBCLC who passed the exam five years ago may choose to recertify by continuing education recognition points (CERPs).
CERPs are the continuing education units awarded by IBLCE to education that meets the educational needs of IBCLCs by covering one or more of the topics on the IBLCE Exam Blueprint. The 3 types of CERPs are described below.
- L-CERPs are awarded to education that is specifically about human lactation and breastfeeding.
- E-CERPs are given to education that is about professional ethics and conduct.
- R-CERPs are given to education that covers one or more of the topics on the IBLCE Exam Blueprint and is neither about lactation nor ethics.
In the 5 years since last passing the exam, an IBCLC must complete 75 hours of continuing education that has been approved for CERPs. At a minimum 50 must be L-CERPs and 5 must be E-CERPs.
Recertification by Exam
Every ten years, IBCLCs must renew their certification by re-taking and passing the IBLCE certification exam.
Every ten years, IBCLCs must renew their certification by re-taking and passing the IBLCE certification exam.
Recertification by exam is an option that is always open to IBCLCs. In other words, recertification by continuing education is not mandatory.
Last updated September 5, 2011
