Recertification by CERPs

Certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is for a period of five years, and is renewable by recertification at five year intervals. Initial certification is effective from the date of notification until the end of October, five years after you first passed the exam. The date your certification expires is shown on the your certificate. Before the end of this five-year period, the IBCLC must recertify, either by passing the exam again, or through a recertification application showing at least 75 Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs).

Ten years after last passing the exam (and five years after CERP recertification), IBCLCs are required to pass the exam again for recertification. Periodic recertification by exam has been shown to be the most reliable method of ensuring that an individual has maintained professional competence. The IBLCE has determined that this is the best way to protect consumers.

An IBCLC who does not recertify must not use the title “IBCLC” or represent her/himself as an IBCLC, after the date certification expired. A person who is not currently certified as an IBCLC should not use misleading words such as “passed the IBLCE exam in 1990” unless it is otherwise clear that the person is no longer certified. 

IBCLCs are expected to take responsibility for maintaining their competence, and for keeping their knowledge and skills up-to-date, by participating in continuing education. To obtain 75 CERPs for recertification, the IBCLC needs to average 15 per year, or approximately 2½ days of continuing education per year. To enhance learning opportunities, IBCLCs are encouraged to earn their CERPs from a variety of sources. 

Frequently asked CERP questions:

What is a CERP?

How do I earn CERPs?

How many CERPs do I need?

What is an L CERP?

What is an E CERP?

What is an R CERP?

What is NOT a CERP?

What if a program does not have CERPs approval? (Individual Application for CERPs)

I had to leave a seminar early to pick up my children and the coordinator reduced the number of CERPs on my certificate of attendance. Can I claim the full amount?

I am short a few CERPs to recertify. What should I do? 

Can I claim CERPs for facilitating parents groups?

When is the deadline to recertify? 

What is a CERP?
CERPs are Continuing Education Recognition Points, instructional units defined by the IBLCE for professional education that is specific and appropriate for IBCLCs. CERPs are earned by IBCLCs who complete an educational program; one CERP being equivalent to one hour of educational time. L CERPs are for Lactation topics, E CERPs are for Ethics topics, R CERPs are for Related topics.

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How do I earn CERPs?
You can earn CERPs in a variety of ways as listed below:

- CERPs Approved Programs
When you attend a session or program that has already been allocated CERPs by IBLCE (or an IBLCE-endorsed CERPs provider) you should receive a personal attendance certificate upon completion of the program. It will state your name, the name and date of the program, the number of L and/or E and/or R CERPs earned, and it will be signed by the organiser. It will also show the IBLCE Approval Number. This is the simplest way to earn CERPs, as a copy of this certificate is the only documentation you will require when you submit your application.

Please note that, even though program providers are required to send IBLCE the attendance list when the program has been approved for CERPs, we do not maintain an ongoing record of how many CERPs each IBCLC has earned. Nor can we go through all the attendance lists to re-create your record of attendance. We verify attendance certificates against lists, but it is your responsibility to keep track of your CERPs and provide copies of your attendance certificates.

- CERPs for group meetings of IBCLCs
CERPs can be earned by attending a planned “professional education” discussion group that is not otherwise a seminar or part of a course (e.g. chat nights, link groups, regional education meetings). The session may focus on discussion of relevant topics or techniques, a prepared topic or case presentation, journal articles, conference audio or video tapes followed by discussion, or other education resources.

There must be a planned format and objectives, and a record made of the date, duration of the session, participants, topic and/or outline of material covered details of the organisers and (where appropriate) the presenter/s. The simplest way for an IBCLC to earn CERPs for these sessions is where the organisers have applied to be a CERP Provider and issue attendance certificates showing the number of L, E or R CERPs allocated.

Where CERPs have not been approved, you must complete an Individual Application for CERPs for each program and attach the required information about the sessions, including proof of your attendance.

Please note that organisational business meetings do not qualify for CERPs, e.g. BFHI team meetings or the business component of a local group or association meeting. However, if there is also an educational component to the meeting, CERPs can be earned for this part of the meeting. A record should be made of when the professional education component started, its duration, and the topic and/or an outline of material covered.

- Additional CERPs for giving a presentation
When you are the presenter of a session that has been approved for L or E CERPs (or for which an individual CERPs application is eligible to be approved), you earn the CERPs as if you were in the audience. You also earn the same number of CERPs again (i.e. double) as partial acknowledgement of the time spent on preparation of the presentation. For example, if you present a 1¼ hour lecture on “Breastfeeding and the Premature Baby”, you and those in attendance can earn 1.25 L CERPs. As the presenter, you also earn an additional 1.25 L CERPs for preparation time (= 2.5  L CERPs total), but only once, even if you repeat the session.

To receive credit for CERPs for presentation preparation, show separately on your application the actual session time and the additional CERPs you earned for presenting. Attach a copy of the program showing your name as presenter highlighted, or similar proof. If your session was part of a longer program that you attended, such as a conference, claim the CERPs for the whole program and then the additional CERPs for session you presented.

Please note: CERPs are earned for professional education only. Teaching antenatal classes or breastfeeding classes for mothers does not earn CERPs.

- Lactation Education Courses
If all or part of the program is also used by five or more recertifying IBCLCs seeking to earn CERPs, then the program providers should apply for CERPs. Please note that pre-exam education according to the IBLCE Exam Blueprint will not be 100% L CERPs.

- Sessions with mixed L, E or R CERPs
Usually L, E or R CERPs are allocated on the basis of the overall content of a session. However, occasionally a session will have half its content eligible for L CERPs and half eligible for E or R CERPs, as determined from the session outline. In such a case, it may be appropriate to allocate half the session time as L CERPs and half as E or R CERPs, e.g. a one hour session on Infant Feeding may be eligible for 0.5 L CERPs and 0.5 R CERPs.

- Academic coursework
Satisfactory completion of academic coursework is eligible for CERPs when it is a university or graduate-level course offered on campus or by distance education. Documentation must include the course description (from the syllabus) and a copy of your statement of results as issued by the institution. To be eligible for CERPs, the subject must be undertaken and completed during the five year period since you last passed the IBLCE exam.

To earn L CERPs for coursework, you should submit documentation that shows specific lactation content. Some subjects, e.g. Infant Feeding, may have a component that is eligible for L CERPs and the rest will be R CERPs or no CERPs. Please supply documentation or information supporting the number of L or R CERPs you are claiming, showing how you calculated them.

· A significant assignment or paper completed as part of your academic coursework (with bibliography) can earn up to five L, E or R CERPs (if it shows that at least five hours work must have been required).
· A PhD dissertation or Masters thesis in lactation will earn 75 L CERPs (official transcript and verification of completion by mentor required).

If you have been undertaking further education in your professional field, you may be able to claim R CERPs simply by submitting documentation of the subjects completed (provided they satisfy the definition of R CERPs). It is important to note that most subjects of relevant university and extension courses are more likely to qualify for R CERPs rather than L CERPs.

- Independent Study Modules
An Independent Study Module (ISM) is a lactation education article or tape which has had questions written to it and has been accredited by IBLCE for CERPs. The CERPs credit is earned by submitting written answers to the questions, as detailed in the package. A certificate is issued on completion of assessment. CERPs approved ISMs are now available through a variety of sources.

- Distance Education
Some distance education courses have been approved for CERPs, and you will receive a certificate of completion. To be credited with CERPs for a program you have completed that does not have CERPs approval, you are required to complete an Individual Application for CERPs. You must attach a copy of the course curriculum, the organiser’s name, credentials and contact details, proof of completion, and a detailed record of the time you spent working on the program. Remember to calculate L, E and R CERPs separately.

- Clinical observation
Clinical observation of an IBCLC, certified for more than five years, is eligible for one L CERP per two hours. The session must be structured, and must include recorded observations and clinical discussion.

- Published work
· As the primary author of an article or scientific study in a peer reviewed (refereed) journal, or a chapter in a published book for health professionals, you can earn 15 CERPs.

· As the primary author of an article in a publication for professionals or a video primarily for educating health professionals (not mothers), you can earn up to five CERPs (with evidence of at least five hours work).

· As the primary author of an original hospital protocol or policy (with bibliography), you can earn up to five CERPs (with evidence of at least five hours work).

· For a poster presentation at a professional conference (with bibliography), you can earn up to five CERPs (with evidence of at least five hours work).

For all of the above, the work must be prepared, submitted and published between the date you last sat the exam and the expiry date of your current certification. It must meet the usual criteria for L, E or R CERPs.

- CPR
You can earn R CERPs for completion of an infant or adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification or update workshop/s. The number of CERPs awarded for CPR will be determined by the time frame of the program/s you attend, to a maximum of six R CERPs in the five-year period.

- ETHICS CERPs
When recertifying by CERPs, an IBCLC is required to include at least five CERPs that address professional ethics, within the 75 CERPs total.

IBLCE introduced this requirement from 2007 to encourage IBCLCs to increase their awareness of the importance of professional ethics related to lactation consultant practice. The requirement to obtain CERPs in ethics should create a market which will encourage conference organisers and others to include sessions on professional ethics, and IBCLCs to attend them.

- CERPs for exam questions and pictures
Question writing can be a challenging and interesting way to gain CERPs. All questions accepted by the IBLCE as suitable for the IBLCE exam question bank earn one L CERP each. A clinical picture also earns one L CERP, or two if submitted with a questions. There is no limit to the number of CERPs that can be earned through question writing or pictures.
Questions and pictures should be submitted to the IBLCE Office in Australia for CERPs allocation in advance of applying to recertify. Allow time for the approval process. You may wish to send some sample questions first, for feedback about whether they meet IBLCE requirements.

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How many CERPs do I need?
IBCLCs are required to have a total of 75 CERPs within the five year recertification period in the following categories:

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 What is an L CERP?
Category L (lactation) CERPs can be earned from professional education which is Lactation-specific. The topic should have direct application to one or more of the following criteria:

• breastfeeding and human lactation
• the breastfeeding dyad and family
• addresses skills used by lactation consultants
• based on, or imparts, relevant biochemical, physiological or psychological research in the field of lactation

Examples of appropriate L topics include:

• Breast anatomy
• Clinical skills for IBCLCs
• Clinical documentation for IBCLCs
• Breastfeeding dyad & family
• Legal aspects of IBCLC practice
• Breastfeeding management
• The IBCLC as a member of the health care team
• Breastfeeding research
• Nutrition (lactation-related)

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What is an E CERP?
IBCLCs are required to have at least five CERPs that address professional Ethics within the 75 CERP total. Conference and Seminar Organisers are encouraged to include sessions on ethics topics in the program - anything from a 30 minute session (0.5 CERPs) to a full day program on ethics and LC practice (five CERPs).  Online and distance education (Independent Study Modules) have developed modules to meet this requirement.  Some ideas for sessions are suggested below:

• Practice Ethics for Lactation Consultants
• Case Studies and Ethics
• The Patient Code of Rights
• Ethics in breastfeeding research: from personal data to publication
• Informed consent; obtaining consent (tenet 11, 22, 23)
• Conflict of Interest (tenet 5)
• Confidentiality (tenet 23)
• Ethics of lactation equipment sales and rentals (tenet 17)
• Knowing your limits; when to refer (tenet 9)
• The WHO International Code and Health Workers (tenet 24)
• The Dilemma of Formula Company Sponsorship (tenet 24)
• Ethics in relation to mental health and abuse (tenet 15)
• Human rights and infant feeding choice
• Breastfeeding and anti-discrimination law
• Dealing with a colleague whose practice is not based on scientific principles,
• Current research and information (tenet 7)
• Falsifying CERPs or exam eligibility records (tenet 14)
• When is it your responsibility to blow the whistle? (tenets 13 and 22)
• Copyright and intellectual property (tenet 25)

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 What is an R CERP?
Category R (related) CERPs can be earned from professional education which is Related to the work of a lactation consultant, but is not specifically in the area of breastfeeding. A topic in Category R should enable the Lactation Consultant to better provide health care for clients, and will usually be covered by the IBLCE Exam Blueprint. University coursework in appropriate subjects may qualify for R CERPs.
Examples of appropriate R topics include:

• General anatomy
• Infant growth and development
• Research methods and statistics
• Cultural differences in health practices
• Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Postpartum depression
• Counselling or communications skills
• Adult education principles
• Family dynamics
• Nutrition (if not lactation-specific)
• Complementary therapy (overview session)

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 What is NOT a CERP?
Clinical work as an IBCLC, and antenatal/postnatal classes for mothers are not professional education, and are not eligible for CERPs. Activities such as private study, reading journals, watching videos (without a group discussion) are not eligible for CERPs.

Examples of topics that are not appropriate for any CERPs include:

• Computer skills
• Complementary therapy (instructional program)
• Motivational sessions
• Specialised midwifery skills, e.g. foetal monitoring

Clinical work, preparing a hospital for Baby Friendly accreditation and classes for mothers are not professional education, and are not eligible for CERPs.

IBCLCs can not claim CERPs for programs organised by individuals or companies that manufacture or distribute products within the scope of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; nor for programs where these companies or company personnel had input into the choice of speakers or the content of the presentations.

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 What if a program does not have CERPs approval?(Individual Application for CERPs) 
As an IBCLC, you will sometimes attend, present or participate in a relevant program or session that does not already have L, E or R CERPs allocated by IBLCE. If you want to include these sessions when you recertify, you must submit an Individual Application for CERPs.

In most cases, you will apply for these CERPs with your Application to Recertify and there will be no additional fee. You may also choose to pay a fee, if you want assurance now that the program will be eligible for CERPs when you recertify. An individual application which is not part of a recertification application must be accompanied by a processing fee (please contact IBLCE for current fees).
An Individual Application for CERPs form is included in this document and is also available by clicking here . You will be required to attach proof of attendance plus details of the program – a published program that gives session information and times, or alternatives described on the form.

Please note that these CERPs will be applicable only to yourself – in other words, CERPs credited to you as a result of an Individual Application for CERPs do not apply to anyone else who participated in the same program. Only a maximum of five IBCLCs can earn CERPs for the same program through individual applications. If more than five IBCLCs want CERPs for a program, the organisers must apply for their program to be allocated CERPs by IBLCE which they can do by clicking here

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I had to leave a seminar early to pick up my children and the coordinator reduced the number of CERPs on my certificate of attendance. Can I claim the full amount?
The coordinator is following IBLCE guidelines and is only issuing the CERPs for sessions which you attended. If you come late or leave early the coordinators have an obligation to take this action. The principle to collecting CERPs is not the number but the education and knowledge you gain which will impact on your clinical practice. This is all to ensure an IBCLCs practice is current and remains at a high standard.

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I am short a few CERPs to recertify. What should I do?
Call the Regional Director and we can discuss your individual situation and help you work out a solution.

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Can I claim CERPs for facilitating parents groups?
CERPs can be claimed for presentations to peers or health professionals, not to parenting groups. CERPs are awarded not for the presentation but for the level of professional information given. The process of presenting to peers or other health professionals would be in greater detail and depth than the general information parents may require.

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When is the deadline to recertify?
 Click here to find out the recertification deadlines

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For more information on obtaining CERPs you can download the Recertification Information booklet