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The mission of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®), a global organisation with, as of 2023, close to 36,000 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in 131 countries, serves the global public interest by advancing professional practice in lactation consultation and support through credentialing.  As set forth in the Diversity, Access, and Inclusion in Global Lactation Credentialing section of its website, IBLCE genuinely embodies diversity in professional lactation care.

The recent news from the US state of Georgia’s Supreme Court ruling brings an opportunity to highlight the importance of equity and access to lactation care globally. Education cost, insurance reimbursement, state and/or federal legislation, and many other variables impacting professional practice are set and managed independently of IBLCE.

While IBLCE neither supported, nor had involvement with, the recent Georgia licensure legislation which was the subject of this litigation, the organisation appreciates the dynamics of the case, and continues to progress initiatives that support the diversification of the lactation field worldwide. 

This year alone, IBLCE launched the Global Center for Lactation Training (GCLT) ^TM, an affiliated organisation that aims to make available credentialing products, services, and programming designed with a global perspective to meet a variety of professional goals and needs. Additionally, IBLCE’s affiliated organisation MILCC offers global scholarships to remove financial barriers to accessing the IBCLC credential.

IBLCE commends IBCLCs and other lactation support providers. It acknowledges and welcomes people with diverse educational and professional backgrounds, who provide lactation care and services across a spectrum of scopes of practice, celebrating the unique perspectives, skills, and expertise that can improve outcomes for breastfeeding families and meet the needs of diverse populations.

A culture of teamwork, respect, and mutual learning can only lead to better outcomes and a more comprehensive approach to lactation care worldwide.

IBLCE has transitioned to a Commission structure – and with this transition, we are in the process of expanding and enhancing our digital presence!

IBLCE is pleased to introduce the new IBCLC Commission website at www.ibclc-commission.org! This is the new home for all information related to the IBCLC programme, where you can:

• Learn about earning the IBCLC,
• Recertifying as an IBCLC,
• Code of Conduct, Ethics & Disciplinary, and other IBCLC documents,
• Log into and learn how to use the online credential management system, and
• Contact the region that serves you.

On the IBLCE website, you can find:

• The IBLCE Briefings,
• The IBCLC Practice Examination,
• The Career Centre,
• Information for CERPs Providers, and
• Links to all IBLCE affiliates, including the IBCLC Commission, the new Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT) ^TM, the Monetary Investment for Lactation Consultant Certification (MILCC), and the refreshed IBCLC Care Awards websites.

Watch the Informational Webinar for more on exciting updates at IBLCE! Find answers to your questions from the February Briefing regarding updates to IBLCE and affiliated organisations.

We can’t stay in touch with you if you don’t stay in touch with us!

The best way to reach the thousands of IBCLCs around the world is via email. Be sure to receive email from us by updating your contact information in IBLCE’s online credential management system.

IBLCE will be sending Recertification Reminders and more information about the CE Self-Assessment in the coming weeks and months, so now is the time to check that your email address is up to date.

Please check your email address and update it as needed by logging into IBLCE’s online system. In the top right corner, you can find a box with your email address – click it for a dropdown menu and select “Profile” and then “Update your profile” to change your email address or other contact information.

Log into IBLCE’s online credential management system here.

You can find instructions and video tutorials to help you navigate the system here.

If you have any issues, please contact your IBLCE location to assist you.

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.