Lacation Education Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become a Lactation Consultant ?
Where can I find out about certification ?
Which course should I take ?
Do I need to become certified ?
Where can I get clinical experience ?
When and where is the certification exam offered ?

How can I become a Lactation Consultant ?

Becoming a certified lactation consultant requires a combination of training and experience. How much of each depends on your educational background and work experience. To find out details about different 'pathways' to becoming a Lactation Consultant contact the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Their web site is http://www.iblce.org/pathways.htm. They set the requirements for certification.

Click here for a list of websites that might be of interest to you as you explore the field of lactation management.

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Where can I find out about certification ?

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners offers the certification exam each year on the last Monday in July. It is offered in one site in each state in the U. S. and in many countries around the world. Visit http://www.iblce.org/ to find out more.

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Which course should I take ?

The Lactation Consultant Training Program

The comprehensive one-week course for lactation consultant practice. This course is now offered by the Inova Learning Network.

If this is your first exposure to lactation management information and you do not have a medical background, you may want to take The Complete Self Learning Program to familiarize yourself with the basic materials, then take the full on-site program. Taking the In-patient Breastfeeding Specialist Course is also a great way to get started. See the listing of Inova Learning Network courses.

The Internship Program

Clinical experience is essential in gaining clinical skills. This program is for those who have taken a comprehensive lactation training course (45 hours of continuing education credits) and who wish to gain clinical experience. Helpful for those who will soon be sitting for the IBLCE certification exam.

For more details about these courses visit http://www.LERon-line.com/courses.htm

Do I need to become certified ?

Although certification is not a legal requirement, it is the ethical thing to do. By becoming certified you are offering your clients a measure of reassurance that you have achieved a certain level of competence. It also separates you from colleagues who have an interest in breastfeeding support, but have not taken the extra step of becoming certified.

Being certified may give you an advantage in hiring for certain positions.

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Where can I get the clinical experience that is required ?

If you are working in a setting where you have contact with new mothers and babies, you can count time that you actually instruct, assist or support breastfeeding activities. For examples, nurses working on a hospital postpartum unit count hours that they teach a breastfeeding class, instruct mothers one-on-one, help mothers with a breast pump, assist with latch-on, etc. There is no limit to the time period that you gain your clinical experience.

If you do not currently have a position that allows contact with mothers and babies, you may need to volunteer at places such as WIC, your local health department, pediatrician's office, etc. Contact the IBLCE for other suggestions. iblce@iblce.org

The Internship Program

Lactation Education Resources offers a clinical internship for those who have taken a comprehensive lactation training course and who wish to gain practical experience. This organized program of 100 hours of experience will count as 500 hours towards the requirements for certification.