Becoming a Lactation Consultant?

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a specialist in the field of lactation. The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is the ONLY certifying body which is able to award this credential. Please visit their website to learn more about the prerequisites to sit the Board Exam.

To qualify as a Lactation Consultant you will be required to achieve a passing grade on the IBLCE examination. Prior to sitting the IBLCE examination you must:

  1. have extensive practical experience in assisting mothers and babies with breastfeeding. Usually it takes several years working with breastfeeding couples to accumulate the required experience.
  2. complete a comprehensive, evidence-based course of study on breastfeeding and lactation.

Both your clinical experience gained and your educational preparation must be acquired within the 5 years prior to sitting the IBLCE examination.

Educational Preparation
Health e-Learning is able to assist you with your educational preparation for the Board exams. (Exception: students qualifying under Pathway 2.) The minimum educational preparation accepted is 45 hours, however IBLCE strongly recommend that students complete a comprehensive, evidence-based AARC-approved program of 80 - 150 hours duration. It is unlikely that you will be able to acquire the depth and breadth of knowledge examined by IBLCE and required as a professional in the field from courses of study less than this.

Health e-Learning's BreastEd Series is a comprehensive, evidence-based program covering all the lactation topics examined by IBLCE. The BreastEd Program has received AARC-approval, indicating it provides quality preparation for IBLCE certification as determined by a task force set up by IBLCE and ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association). For more information about the BreastEd Series click HERE.

IBLCE Examination
When you have gained the experience and knowledge required you may apply to IBLCE to sit the Exam. The IBLCE Exam is offered once a year, usually on the last Monday of July. The Exam is sat around the World at many, many exam sites on this day. If you contact your regional office of IBLCE they will tell you the closing date for exam applications and where your nearest exam site will be.

Before deciding if this is the career path you would like to take, please read this IBLCE article which explains what an IBCLC is and does. I'd also encourage you to read the sections linked from that page to the Code of Ethics and Competency Standards for IBCLCs.

If this is for you, then I welcome you to a wonderful and rewarding career.

Frequently asked questions:

I'm a doctor. Should I just do ES03 Breastfeeding Foundations for Doctors?
This course has been developed for doctors who don't wish to specialize in breastfeeding, but do see mothers and babies as a part of their practice. It is a short course with just 'foundation' knowledge in it which is not sufficient to meet the needs of a doctor who also wishes to become an IBCLC.

I've been a midwife/obstetric nurse/community nurse for many years. Will ES01 Breastfeeding Foundations for Nurses/Midwives be sufficient to prepare me for the IBLCE Exam?
No. This course has been developed for nurses and midwives who don't wish to specialize in breastfeeding, but do work with breastfeeding mothers and babies. It is a short course with just 'foundation' knowledge in it which is not sufficient to meet the needs of an IBCLC.

I only HAVE to get 45 hours of education to sit the IBLCE Exam. Which of your courses can I do to meet the minimum requirement?
We don't offer a course for IBCLC preparation that is only 45 hours. Our faculty felt that we'd rather put our efforts into a program that will give you the confidence to take and pass the IBLCE Exam then work competently as an IBCLC afterwards. The BreastEd Series is the program we offer to prepare future IBCLCs.

I'm just beginning to work in the field and I won't be taking the IBLCE Exam for at least 3 years. Should I do the BreastEd Series now?
You could. But you'd get more benefit from doing ES01 Breastfeeding Foundations for Nurses and Midwives now, even if you aren't a nurse or midwife, then within two or three years of sitting the IBLCE Exam enroll into the BreastEd Series. That way you'll be more experienced and be able to apply the advanced knowledge better, and you'll have the latest information not long before you take the IBLCE Exam.

Can Health e-Learning help me to get clinical experience?
No, sorry - other than to refer you to the ILCA website (look under Education/Student Resources).

OK I've definitely decided I want to become a Lactation Consultant. I'm going to enroll into the BreastEd Series. Are there any other courses that you recommend?
Congratulations on your decision. Yes, ET01 Ethics for Lactation Consultants will be beneficial, and the annual GOLD Conference will be invaluable. Then, in the February of the year you are taking the Exam, enroll into Lactation Exam Practice. You'll be very well prepared and confident.