COVID-19 FAQs

For those who are taking the examination in English, Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) will be an option.  Currently, IBLCE’s third-party testing vendor only offers LRP in English. LRP will require the candidate to meet the technical and environmental criteria for testing in their home. 

Please view this graphic with your options. 

Further information about taking the IBCLC examination with LRP can be found here.

LRP allows you to take a professional, computer-based test on your own computer equipment in your home, or other location that meets the workspace criteria, with security and testing practices in place that are similar to that of a testing centre.  

All examinations are continuously monitored to ensure the validity of the results. 

As an LRP test taker, you are not alone: if you have a question (not related to the examination content) or need support, you can speak to or message your Remote Proctor at any time. 

Prometric will provide you with detailed information in your appointment confirmation email that will explain how to download and install the testing vendor’s ProProctor application, as well as give you an in-depth overview of the process.  

The LRP experience will be similar to your experience at a test centre.  After you launch the examination application, you will start with check-in and security measures (a Readiness Agent will check your environment and person).

Once you start your examination, your device will be locked so you only have access to the test items. During the examination, candidates may flag questions within each section for review and return to them later. For the purpose of making notes, candidates may access electronic scratch paper.

You may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break when taking the examination via LRP. Even during your scheduled break, you may only leave the view of your webcam after you have the acknowledgement of your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace or if you have have any questions about LRP rules to avoid dismissal from the examination.

You will be on webcam with the remote proctor for the entire time of your examination.

For further information regarding IBLCE examination policies and examination format, please see the examination FAQs on our website for more information.

If you have a question during your examination (not related to examination content), you will be able to speak to or message your Remote Proctor at any time.  

LRP does include a readiness and security check before you begin the examination. Be prepared for Prometric to take pictures of your two unexpired IDs. The primary ID must be a valid, unexpired government-issued identification that includes your name, current photograph, and signature, and the secondary ID must have either your name and signature or your name and current photograph.

You must also show the Readiness Agent a view of the entire workspace where you will be taking the examination. For examination security purposes and is typical in the professional testing industry, your Readiness Agent will also ask you to stand up to do a scan of your person. You will be required to show your ankles, empty and turn all pockets inside-out, and raise shirt sleeves above your wrists. If you are wearing eyeglasses you will be required to remove them for visual inspection.   

Before checking in to the examination, clear your workspace, remove any large jewellery, empty your pockets, and pull your hair back. Make sure to have the two forms of government-issued identification on hand. This will help to reduce the amount of time it takes to get through your security check.

You may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break when taking the examination via LRP. Even during your scheduled break, you may only leave the view of your webcam after you have the acknowledgement of your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace to avoid dismissal from the examination. When you return from your scheduled break, the proctor will repeat the security check of your workspace and person.

Other information regarding prohibited items and actions will be provided with the in-depth view of the testing process when you receive your appointment confirmation email. 

The IBCLC is a professional credential, and examination security is important to the integrity of the credential. IBCLCs’ work impacts the health of infants and parents, and therefore verification of their knowledge is of great importance. Please carefully read the IBCLC examination administration rules:

• Candidates must not leave the examination workspace.  The only time permitted for a break is in between Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination. Candidates must alert the proctor before moving away from the web-camera during the break and after finalising the examination. Leaving the view of the web-camera without acknowledgement from the proctor, including during your scheduled break, will result in an immediate dismissal from your examination.
• No third party, including other people or pets, may be present in the room or enter the room during the examination. If this occurs, your examination will be terminated.
• Turning off lighting or computer audio, moving from your original testing location, or speaking to or receiving aid from other individuals is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the examination.
• A visual inspection will be conducted before you start the examination as part of the security protocol.
• Candidates found in possession of electronic devices of any kind, phones, or study guides during the examination or during breaks will be immediately dismissed and their examination will not be scored.
• Light clothing items removed for comfort such as sweaters, suit jackets, scarves, etc., must be hung on your chair, not placed in your lap or on the workstation desktop. Outerwear such as heavy coats, parkas, raincoats, etc., is not permitted in the immediate testing area.
• Only pre-approved comfort aids or pre-approved medical aids/devices are permitted into the workspace. Please check if you have pre-approved accommodations listed in your Examination Authorisation Email. 
• Questions concerning the examination content are not permitted. Remote proctors are not allowed to provide interpretation or clarification of examination questions and/or define words.
• Cheating will not be tolerated and, if discovered, will result in a candidate’s scores being cancelled or her/his certification being revoked in accordance with IBLCE policies and procedures and/or legal action against the candidate, including criminal prosecution.
• Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited during the examination.
• Written notes, published materials, and other testing aids are strictly prohibited during the examination and during your scheduled break.
• You are not to read aloud while taking the examination.
• You will be asked to agree to all the testing vendor’s testing regulations before your LRP examination. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in dismissal from your examination.
• Candidates are required to be professional, civil, and respectful at all times while testing.
• Candidates who finish the examination early may leave the workspace. The proctor must be alerted.

You will need the following system requirements to be able to take the IBCLC examination with Live Remote Proctoring: 

To check your if your system meets these requirements, you can click here for a System Readiness Check.  

IBLCE recommends performing a System Readiness Check before scheduling for an LRP examination. You will also need to download the ProProctor proctoring software before your examination day.  Prometric will provide an appointment confirmation email with details about this process.  

If you encounter technical difficulties during your examination, please contact Prometric. You may attempt to resume your examination. If you are unable to resume your examination within a reasonable time, you will no longer be able to access your examination. Should this occur, please contact your IBLCE regional office to learn of your options.

While many candidates will prefer to take the examination from home, you can take your examination anywhere that meets the workspace criteria below: 

Please note: To preserve the integrity of the IBCLC credential and to provide appropriate separation between IBLCE and educational organisations/individuals who offer test preparatory materials or training, candidates sitting via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) are not to take the IBCLC examination in a location that is owned or operated by an educational entity that offers IBCLC test preparatory materials or training courses.

When choosing to sit the examination via LRP, it is the responsibility of the candidate to find a location that meets the workspace criteria noted above. IBLCE is unable to assist in securing a testing location that meets the requirements for LRP examination administration. If a candidate is unsure if their workspace will meet the workspace testing requirements or is unable to find an appropriate location, they should plan to sit the examination at a testing centre.

Your workspace and surrounding area must be free of pens, paper, electronic devices, etc. No content that could potentially provide an unfair advantage during your examination, including that posted on walls or within your immediate area, can be present during your examination session. 

You may have two tissues at your workstation.

If you need access to additional items for medical reasons, please contact your regional location to request a specific accommodation. The items listed here are permissible without a specific accommodation, but will be inspected during your security check. 

Learn more about what is and isn’t permitted during an LRP examination here.
Learn more about where you can take an LRP examination here.
Learn more about LRP system requirements here.

There is one scheduled break between Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination. You may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break. Even during your scheduled break, you may only leave the view of your webcam after you have the acknowledgement of your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace or if you have have any questions about LRP rules to avoid dismissal from the examination.  If you leave the view of your webcamera during your scheduled break, you will be required to go through the check-in process again to be re-admitted to the examination.

You are not permitted to access electronic devices, such as mobile phones, or study guides at any time during your examination, including during your break.

Additionally, while many accommodations are possible when choosing to test via LRP, extra breaks are not permitted. Candidates with an approved accommodation allowing additional unscheduled breaks during the examination are required to test at a testing centre.

Please submit this change to the IBLCE location that serves you as soon as possible.

You will need a laptop or desktop with a single monitor. Dual monitors are not permitted. Tablets may not be used with LRP. Microsoft Surface or similar can be used only when configured in laptop mode. Please see the FAQ “What do I need to do to set up my computer system for success with Live Remote Proctoring?” for additional information on how to set up your computer system for success for LRP. 

Mobile phones are not permitted in the examination room/at your workspace for the IBCLC examination, whether you are taking it at a test centre or via LRP. Candidates found in possession of and/or using such devices during the examination or during breaks will be dismissed and their examinations will not be scored. 

Additionally, wifi from mobile phone hot spots is not always reliable. Please see the FAQ “What do I need to do to set up my computer system for success with Live Remote Proctoring?”for additional information on how to set up your computer system for success for LRP and to complete a system check.

LRP scheduling is based on proctor availability. We recommend that you request your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your IBLCE Examination Authorisation Email.  

The process is very similar to scheduling in a test centre, but you will select a time and not a location.  There will be a section on the IBLCE homepage of the Prometric website for scheduling a remote proctored examination. 

During the appointment selection process, you will be required to select a time zone.  Please note that your appointment time will be set using 24-hour clock in the selected time zone.

You can confirm your examination appointment time here with your confirmation number. If you still have questions, please contact Prometric directly. You can find contact information at the bottom of this page.

Yes, you may use LRP and take a breastfeeding break. Please note that you will of course be taking the break outside of the view of the webcam. Specific information regarding this accommodation will be included in your IBLCE Examination Authorisation Email if you have been approved for a breast/chestfeeding break.  

You can find the IBLCE® Procedures for Breast/Chestfeeding During Examination Administration here.

Many accommodations are possible for use with LRP.  Specific information regarding your approved accommodations will be included in your examination authorisation email.