Eligibility for the exam

All candidates are required to have extensive practical experience as Breastfeeding Consultants before being accepted to sit for the exam. Certification as an IBCLC is for individuals who already have extensive knowledge, skills and practical experience assisting mothers with breastfeeding. If you do not have this experience in an accredited capacity, you are not eligible to become a lactation consultant.  

To be eligible to be a candidate for the exam, you must:

1. Be an appropriately Qualified Health Professional OR have completed the background education in specific disciplines

and

2. have extensive clinical experience providing breastfeeding counselling and support

and

3. have completed comprehensive education in lactation (see education requirements)

What qualifications or background in health disciplines must I have?
You must either provide evidence that you have a degree or registration to practice clinically in one of the health professions or you must document completion of “background” education in each of the following:

• » anatomy and physiology
• » sociology or cultural diversity
• » psychology, counselling or communication skills
• » child development
• » nutrition
• » medical terminology

“Background” is defined as a minimum of four hours of education in each of the six disciplines above, and is further defined as basic or introductory in content and not as applied to lactation. It should be taught by someone who is qualified to teach that subject at the lowest post-secondary level, at least.

This requirement must be completed before you send in your exam application. For maximum benefit, you are strongly encouraged to complete it before starting your lactation education; there is no time limit for the period between when you do these courses and when you do the exam. Further information about this requirement is available at Health Professional Requirements

To demonstrate background in these disciplines, an applicant who is not a Health Professional must submit the following documents relevant to each of the subjects listed above:

» Official transcript from a college, university, or post-secondary institution, if the course title reflects the discipline claimed as background;
OR
» A content outline or course syllabus or signed statement from the lecturer, if the course title does not reflect content that the applicant wishes to claim.

If the course or background was NOT offered in an accredited academic institution, a CV or resume of the lecturer for each discipline will be required.

Please contact the IBLCE Office if you would like information about on-line and other options for doing these short courses. To get maximum benefit from your lactation education program, you should do this background education first - there is no time limit for the period between when you do these courses and when you do the exam.