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The IBCLC Continuing Education (CE) Self-Assessment is now available to all IBCLCs due to recertify in 2023.

The CE Self-Assessment is required for all IBCLCs who choose to recertify by CERPs.  IBCLCs due to recertify in 2023 were sent an email with instructions to access the CE Self-Assessment. If you have not received your email, please check your spam folder.

You can take the CE Self-Assessment now! Of the 75 total CERPs required in 2023, up to 20 CERPs (30%) will be based on the results from your CE Self-Assessment. The remaining CERPs may be earned based on your career goals, practice setting, and interest areas. CERPs earned prior to taking the CE Self-Assessment may count towards the total number of CERPs required based on your self-assessment results. There are many ways to earn CERPs; see the IBLCE March 2022 Briefing.

To recertify by CERPs, you will need to complete all requirements and submit your recertification by CERPs application by September 30, 2023.

 Learn more about all recertification requirements in 2023 here:

Requirement 1: Basic Life Support Education

Requirement 2: 250 Hours of Practice in Lactation Consulting

Requirement 3: Select & Complete One Recertification Method

There are now two recertification options for each five-year recertification cycle:
The IBCLC examination remains an option for recertification but is no longer a requirement.

For IBCLCs due to recertify in 2024 and beyond, we will provide more information about when you will be eligible to take the CE Self-Assessment by the end of 2022.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please reach out to the IBLCE location that serves you.

Code of Professional Conduct Updates to Enhance Gender Neutrality

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners^® (IBLCE^®) has made some revisions to the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs (CPC) to enhance gender neutrality as well as to incorporate British English. As an international organisation, IBLCE uses British English in its publications and documents.

Addendum: Professional Boundaries in Online Communities

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) issued an advisory opinion in September 2015 entitled Professionalism in the Social Media Age. That advisory opinion provided guidance to IBCLCs on professional practice as it relates to electronic communication. It set forth broad principles and issues for consideration to ensure not only the public is protected but also the personal and professional integrity of the IBCLC is protected as well.

Since that time, the use of social media has become increasingly prevalent. Online communities have experienced particularly robust growth over the past several years. These self-organised communities of interest can be helpful to network and share professional information. At the same time, their use should be in alignment with professional behaviour. As IBLCE has received several communications expressing concern about the use of such online communities, IBLCE is issuing an updated advisory opinion, Professionalism in the Social Media Age, which includes an addendum entitled Professional Boundaries in Online Communities. Refresh your recollection on the advisory opinion and review the addendum here.

Updates to Disciplinary Procedures for the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs

The Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs governs the professional conduct and behaviour of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. In turn, the accompanying disciplinary procedures govern how IBLCE conducts the process when ethics complaints are filed. The IBCLC ethics and disciplinary process is driven primarily by IBCLC volunteer leaders. The procedures have been updated and streamlined so as to emphasise the confidential nature of the process as well as to leverage volunteer time more effectively.

IBLCE has updated the Code of Professional Conduct Complaint Form in a similar manner.

IBCLC Ethics & Disciplinary Information may be found here.

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) is strongly committed to advancing global public health, and we are deeply concerned about the impact that the current shortage of formula milk is having on families who rely upon these products for feeding their babies, particularly those infants with special medical requirements.  

IBLCE applauds recent steps that the US Federal Government and other public bodies have taken to address the situation, while noting that a confluence of factors have led to a “perfect storm” in which too many families experience stress, worry, and urgently seek guidance and resources for their babies and young children.

In the face of this situation, dedicated professionals who are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLCs), and other lactation support workers and volunteers, are providing guidance and direction to resources, as are staff with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; accredited nonprofit milk banks; and many community-based organisations and hospitals. 

IBLCE commends these IBCLCs and other lactation support workers, who are leading from the frontlines and providing information and care to families during such a difficult and challenging time. You are invaluable in your dedicated service, which helps advance global public health and serve our families!

Those seeking more clinically focused guidance may wish to visit the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

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.

Regardez la vidéo en français ici.

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:

• work both individually and collaboratively as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to develop programme materials, programme policies, and develop assessment items;
• contribute approximately 8 hours per month (depending upon precise volunteer role(s)) in online meetings or assignments in-between meetings; and,
• commit to serve on the IBLCE Second Credential Pilot workgroup for a one-year term.

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

• Experience working with breastfeeding families in a lactation support role
• Experience with peer-reviewed or collaborative work
• Strong written communication skills including experience in developing manuals, policies, presentations, programme development, etc.
• Fluent in English

Preferrable Qualifications

• Experience in public speaking and presenting at conferences or similar events

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:

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:

• For a summary of these changes: Watch this short video.
• Initial candidates: Learn more about your eligibility requirements in the Candidate Information Guide.
• Recertifying candidates: Learn more about recertification requirements in the Recertification Guide.

Other Options for IBCLCs in 2022:

• IBCLC Retired Status: The IBCLC Retired Status will be introduced in 2021. Learn more here.
• Inactive Status: The implementation of Inactive Status has been moved to 2022, with more details coming later this year.

If you have any questions about your specific situation, please contact the IBLCE location that serves you.