Translations

Over the years, the exam has been translated into more than a dozen languages.  Translation of the exam is a time-consuming, exacting process that requires careful selection and supervision of the individuals who will translate the exam from English into another language and those individuals who will back-translate the exam again into English.  This process of translation followed by back-translation has been used by IBLCE since the first translation of the exam in 1987 and has become the standard methodology used by other certifying bodies for exam translation.

Translation of the exam also requires that adequate numbers of exam candidates will be taking the exam in any given language.  As the IBCLC credential expands into more parts of the world, the requests for translations have risen.  Each year the exam is translated into several languages according to demand and availability of suitable translators.  Some translations are available every year while others are available on alternate years or based on demand.

For a translation where there is typically only a small number of candidates, or for a translation language new to IBLCE, at least 15 eligible candidates must have applied and paid their exam fees before December 31 for the translation to be considered.
  
Special note:  The demand for a Spanish translation has been small in recent years and consideration is being given to placing this translation on an alternate year cycle.  If you are interested in a Spanish translation of the exam for 2009, please contact us as soon as possible.

The translations expected to be available for 2008 are listed below.  

Please Note:  The Hebrew translation that was planned for 2008 will not be available due to the unavailability of qualified translators.