Education for the purposes of recertification by CERPs can be earned after you are certified as an IBCLC. The timeframe in which CERPs can be earned is dependent on which exam is taken.
For initial candidates who pass the April exam: education can be earned toward recertification starting July 1 of that year through application for recertification 5 years later. For example, if you pass the April exam in 2018, then you can begin to earn education points (CERPs) for recert by CERPs from July 1, 2018 until you submit your application for recertification in 2023.
For initial candidates who pass the October exam: education can be earned toward recertification staring January 1 of the following year through application for recertification 5 years later. For example, if you pass the October exam in 2018, then you can begin to earn education points (CERPs) for recertification by CERPs from January 1, 2019 until you submit your application for recertification in 2023.
For current IBCLCs that are recertifying by exam, education may count towards recertification at any point after sitting the exam in the expiration year through application for recertification 5 years later. For example, if you are due to recertify by exam in 2018, then you can begin earning education (CERPs) at any time following the exam seating in which you took until you submit your application for recertification in 2023.