The IBCLC examination is offered twice a year, in March and/or April (English) and in September (in all IBLCE languages).
The schedule for application and administration of the 2023 IBCLC examination is as follows:
Application Dates
Examination Administration Dates
| Application Dates for the March 2023 Examination: October 21 – December 5, 2022 |  | March 2023 IBCLC Examination Administration Dates: March 8 – 17, 2023 |
| Application Dates for the September 2023 Examination: May 10 – June 22, 2023 | | September 2023 IBCLC Examination Administration Dates: September 20 – 29, 2023 |
Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): Due to continued fluid circumstances, IBLCE will announce later this year if the examination will be available via LRP in 2023.
Application Dates to Recertify by CERPs with the Continuing Education (CE) Self-Assessment* in 2023:
May 10 – September 30, 2023
*For IBCLCs due to recertify in 2023: 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. You will receive an email when you have access to the CE Self-Assessment. Look out for more information in the coming months.
Learn more about IBCLC certification and recertification here:
- 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.