This is the first year where, to recertify by CERPs:
Beginning in 2022, IBCLCs have the option to Recertify by Exam or by CERPS with the CE Self-Assessment. Learn more in this video.
Learn more about Recertification here.
Deadline to Apply Extended by Request to June 20, 2022
IBLCE’s mission is serving the global public interest by advancing professional practice in lactation consulting and support through credentialing. As announced previously, including in the IBLCE Strategic Plan 2021-2025, IBLCE is developing and piloting a lactation support credential.
IBLCE is seeking volunteers from around the world and from a variety of backgrounds (e.g., breastfeeding support counsellors, peer-to-peer counsellors, lactation researchers, childbirth education; healthcare workers) interested in lactation support and in joining the IBLCE Second Credential workgroup charged with the development of this pilot programme. Due to current events and the consequent time demands on lactation support professionals in some parts of the world, IBLCE has received requests to extend the deadline to apply for the Second Credential Workgroup, and therefore has extended the deadline to June 20, 2022.
As a member of this workgroup, there will be opportunities to:
To apply please send your current curriculum vitae (C.V.), a letter of interest, and a writing sample together with a signed copy of the Conflict of Interest Formto international@iblce.org by June 20, 2022.
Required Qualifications
Preferrable Qualifications
Applications are now open in all languages on the IBLCE website!
Applications for the September 2022 IBCLC Examination
Application deadline: June 1, 2022
Examination window: September 14 – 23, 2022
Apply here!
The September 2022 examination is offered worldwide in all IBLCE languages.
IBLCE will once again offer the September 2022 IBCLC examination administrations via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) in English, which is currently the only language offered by IBLCE’s third-party testing vendor. Learn more about the options available to you here.
You can apply for the September 2022 IBCLC examination between now and June 1, 2022.
Applications are available in IBLCE’s online credential management system in English, German, and Spanish here. Applications via online form can be found in all other languages on your language page.
Applications for Recertification by CERPs with Continuing Education (CE) Self-Assessment
The CE Self-Assessment is currently available to IBCLCs due to recertify in 2022 here.
Applications to recertify by CERPs, following the completion of the CE Self-Assessment, are now open!
Application deadline: September 30, 2022
Apply here.
Beginning with IBCLCs due to recertify in 2022, IBCLCs are no longer required to recertify by examination every ten years.
IBCLCs are required to take the CE Self-Assessment to identify their competences based upon the current IBCLC Detailed Content Outline. Using the Personalised Professional Development Plan generated by the CE Self-Assessment, IBCLCs are then required to complete 75 CERPs. Learn more here.
You can apply in IBLCE’s online credential management system in English, German, and Spanish here. Applications via online form can be found in all other languages on your language page.
If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the IBLCE location that serves you.
The IBCLC examination is offered twice a year, in March/April (English) and in September (in all IBLCE languages).
The schedule for application and administration of the 2022 IBCLC examination is as follows:
Application Dates
Examination Administration Dates
| Application Dates for the March/April 2022 Examination: October 26 – December 7, 2021 |  | March/April 2022 IBCLC Examination Administration Dates: March 23 – April 1, 2022 |
| Application Dates for the September 2022 Examination: April 19 – June 1, 2022 | | September 2022 IBCLC Examination Administration Dates: September 14 – 23, 2022 |
Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): Due to continued fluid circumstances, IBLCE will announce later this year if the examination will be available via LRP in 2022.
Application Dates to Recertify by CERPs* in 2022:
April 19 – September 30, 2022
*For IBCLCs due to recertify in 2022 who have not extended their certification from 2020 or 2021: As previously announced in the June 2019 IBLCE Briefing, beginning in 2022, the IBCLC examination will remain an option for recertification but will no longer be a requirement. The Continuing Education Self-Assessment (CE Self-Assessment) and required focused continuing education will be an option in lieu of examination at each five-year recertification period. More information on recertification by CE Self-Assessment will be released in future updates.
As a reminder, there are several new criteria for both initial candidates and recertifying IBCLCs:
Other Options for IBCLCs in 2022:
If you have any questions about your specific situation, please contact the IBLCE location that serves you.
Applications are now open in all languages on the IBLCE website!
Friendly reminder: As announced in the June 2019 Briefing and on our website, as a result of a multi-year review of the IBCLC certification programme by IBCLC subject matter experts, this year there are new eligibility requirements for both initial and recertifying candidates that must be met before you can submit your application! Learn more about the requirements for initial candidates here or for recertifying IBCLCs here.
Application deadline: June 4, 2021
EXTENDED Examination window: September 8 – 24, 2021
Apply here!
Given COVID-19 restrictions in some areas, the examination window has been extended to give candidates more opportunity to access testing seats. The broader September examination window is Wednesday, September 8 through Friday, September 24, 2021. The September examination is offered worldwide in all IBLCE languages.
You can apply for the September 2021 IBCLC examination between now and June 4, 2021. Initial candidates can learn more about how to apply here. Recertifying candidates can learn more here.
Applications are available in IBLCE’s online credential management system in English, German, and Spanish here. Applications via online form can be found in all other languages on your language page.
Application deadline: September 30, 2021
Apply here!
If you are due to recertify this year and you sat the examination in the past five years, then you are eligible to recertify by CERPs. You can apply to do so in IBLCE’s online credential management system in English, German, and Spanish here. Applications via online form can be found in all other languages on your language page.
If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the IBLCE location that serves you.
Are you a Breastfeeding Counsellor and interested in becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®)? Or would your organisation like to be listed as an IBLCE® Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation?
If so, IBLCE’s Virtual Informational Session is available below. Learn more about possibilities to enhance your career in the lactation field and/or get this recognition for your organisation.
Find more information about Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisations here.
Si es Consejera de Apoyo para la Lactancia, obtenga más información sobre las posibilidades de mejorar su carrera en el campo de la lactancia en nuestra nueva presentación.
Puede obtener más información sobre las organizaciones reconocidas como consejeras de apoyo para la lactancia aquí.
Si vous êtes un conseiller en soutien à l’allaitement et que vous souhaitez devenir consultant(e) en Lactation certifié(e) par le Comité International® (IBCLC®), cette session est faite pour vous. Apprenez-en davantage sur la façon dont les conseillers en soutien à l’allaitement peuvent devenir IBCLC via la voie d’accès 1.
Vous pouvez également découvrir comment votre organisation peut être répertoriée en tant qu’organisation de conseillers en soutien à l’allaitement reconnue par l´IBLCE®.
Pour en savoir plus sur les organisations de conseillers en soutien à l’allaitement reconnues par l´IBLCE vous vous invitons à suivre le lien suivant sur notre site internet ici.
As IBLCE’s 35th year draws to a close, we are reflecting on the incredible impact that IBCLCs have made during this time. In 1985, the year IBLCE was founded, the term “lactation consultant” was very new – and few outside of the field even recognised it. Since then, the field has grown dramatically, and there are now 33,492 IBCLCs in 125 countries and territories around the world!
We spoke to a few pioneer IBCLCs to learn more about the birth of the credential and its history. Here is a look back at how the IBCLC went from an idea to the gold standard in lactation care to breastfeeding families all over the world.
1985 – 2021
As you make your plans regarding the 2021 IBCLC examination, we have some updates on the testing modalities and candidate financial options for you to consider.
To give candidates more time to review these new options, the deadline to apply for the April/May 2021 IBCLC examination offered only in English has been extended by one week.
The deadline for applications to the April/May 2021 IBCLC examination is now January 27, 2021.
IBLCE has implemented the following options to help you make an informed decision about the IBCLC examination this year:
IBLCE will offer the April/May and September 2021 IBCLC examination administrations via Live Remote Proctoring in English, which is currently the only language offered by IBLCE’s third-party testing vendor.
IBLCE is making this option available again in 2021 after reviewing a variety of factors, including:
IBLCE has approved the use of LRP for 2021 IBCLC examination administrations in light of the ongoing global pandemic. Any use of LRP for IBCLC examinations in 2022 and beyond will be subject to further review.
Please see the full list of your financial options below:
| Who | What | When |
| ALL Approved Candidates (April/May and September) | Partial Refund (50% of fees paid) |
April/May Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by April 5, 2021. September Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by September 1, 2021. |
| INITIAL Approved Candidates (April/May and September)
This also applies to those who were deferred from the 2020 examinations. |
Defer fees to one of the next two examinations* *Candidates must apply and meet the certification requirements in the year that they sit the examination. | Submit request with documented extraordinary circumstances* before your examination date or within 30 days after the examination window. |
| RECERTIFYING BY EXAMINATION Approved Candidates (April/May and September) This also applies to those IBCLCs who were deferred from the 2020 examinations. |
Defer fees to one of the next two examinations* and receive a one-year certification extension to December 31, 2022. *Candidates must apply and meet the recertification requirements in the year that they sit the examination. | Submit request with documented extraordinary circumstances* and 15 L-CERPs before your examination date or within 30 days after the examination window. |
| ALL Approved Candidates (April/May and September)
This also applies to those who were deferred from the 2020 examinations. |
Full Refund | April/May Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by April 5, 2021 with documented extraordinary circumstances*. September Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by September 1, 2021 with documented extraordinary circumstances*. Those who were deferred from the 2020 examinations and wish to request a full refund do not need to submit a new full 2021 examination application in order to request a full refund. If you intend to sit an examination in 2021 then you will need to submit a new application. Please contact your IBLCE regional location for further information. |
*Extraordinary circumstances also include COVID-19 related concerns, such as job loss of the candidate and/or partner/spouse, COVID-19 health issue for candidate or immediate family member, and/or concern for going into the public due to COVID-19
For more details about these options visit the IBLCE COVID-19 Resource Centre of the IBLCE website, as specific information and updates will be provided there when it is available. These options are only applicable to 2021 examination candidates due to COVID-19.
There will be further updates to the IBLCE COVID-19 Resource Centre’s LRP information this week to align with this announcement. We will continue to update the IBLCE COVID-19 Resource Centre to provide you with up-to-date information to help make decisions in this continued highly fluid environment. Please check back frequently to keep up with the latest developments.
If you have any questions about the options available for the 2021 IBCLC examination administration, please contact the IBLCE location that serves you.
If you are ready to apply, you can learn more about applying for the examination as an initial candidate here, or learn more about applying for recertification here.
The April/May 2021 IBCLC examination is administered in English only. You can find applications in English in our new online credential management system here.
The September 2021 IBCLC examination will be available in all IBLCE languages. Applications for the September examination will open on April 19, 2021.
As we communicated in March 2020, due to COVID-19, the Americas & Israel and International Office staff began working remotely so the best way to reach us would be by email.
Earlier this month, we notified you that in the event you needed your credential verified, you could either refer to your online account or submit a certification verification form to iblce@iblce.org
We are reaching out to you now because we are experiencing a technical issue with respect to facsimiles (faxes) at IBLCE’s Americas & Israel location. While we requested that credential verifications be sent only by email, we want to remind you of this given the importance of credential verifications and given this technical issue we are currently experiencing. We are working diligently to resolve this, however, again, please do not fax to the Americas & Israel location, rather email iblce@iblce.org
If you need a certification verification, please request it using this form and email it to us at iblce@iblce.org. Please note that IBLCE’s online public registry will be updated in January 2021.
If you sent us a fax and haven’t received a response from us, please email us at iblce@iblce.org.
We have been and will continue to check this email diligently as we approach year end.
We apologise for the inconvenience, and we look forward to serving you via email.
