Recertification Requirements
IBCLCs must renew their certification every five years. Two options—exam and continuing education—are offered and the recertification requirements depend upon the last method by which an IBCLC achieved or renewed their certification. The table below shows these requirements.
| Last Method of Certification | Recertification Options |
| Exam | Continuing Education or Exam |
| Continuing Education | Exam Only |
Recertification by Exam
Every ten years, IBCLCs must renew their certification by taking and passing the certification exam. Recertification by exam is an option that is always open to IBCLCs who must renew their certification.
It is not necessary for IBCLCs who are renewing their certification by exam to demonstrate completion of continuing education or continued clinical practice. However, IBLCE recommends that all IBCLCs keep their knowledge and practice up-to-date through continuing education.
Recertification by Continuing Education
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. The three types of CERPs awarded by IBLCE are described in the table below.
| CERP Type | Description |
| L | Education that is specifically about human lactation and breastfeeding |
| E | Education that is specifically about professional ethics for IBCLCs |
| R | Education that is related and relevant to the lactation consultant profession but not specifically about human lactation or ethics |
When recertifying by CERPs, IBCLCs must demonstrate that they have completed 75 hours of CERP-approved education. These 75 hours of CERP-approved education must have been completed over the five years since last passing the exam. In addition, the continuing education must meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least 50 hours of L-CERP education
- At least 5 hours of E-CERP education
- At least 20 hours of education that has been approved for L, E or R CERPs
