FAQ Group: Recertification

In order to make its certification financially accessible to all those qualified to participate, despite the wide variance in economic conditions throughout the world, IBLCE uses the purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita metric as determined by international organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and used by a number of international NGOs. PPP takes into account the relative cost of living and the inflation rates of countries. Further information on fees can be found in the IBLCE Fee Guide.

Yes, you will receive a confirmation of your online payment in English via email communication to your primary email address. You can also print a receipt from your online account in the “Payment History” section.

If you choose not to recertify in the year that your IBCLC certification expires or you fail the examination as an IBCLC, you will no longer be permitted to use the designation “IBCLC” and/or “RLC” after your name. To regain the IBCLC certification you MUST sit the examination and pass. All application deadlines are applicable, so please review these if you plan to seek certification.

Should your certification lapse by either failing the IBCLC examination or not renewing by either sitting the examination or recertifying by CERPs, you may take the examination one time within the following twelve months after the expiration year without having to meet the IBCLC examination eligibility requirements; this is limited to one examination seating within the year that immediately follows the lapse of your certification. For any subsequent examination attempts you are expected to meet the eligibility requirements valid at the time of examination application. For example, an individual who fails the examination in April will be able to take the September examination of that same year or the next April examination without having to meet the prerequisites for the exam. An IBCLC who fails in September will be granted one attempt for either April or September of the following year without having to demonstrate meeting the prerequisites.

Should your IBCLC certification lapse, then you will pay the fee associated with initial examination applicants the next time that you apply to sit the exam.

In 2022, IBLCE will introduce an Inactive Status for currently active IBCLCs who are unable to meet recertification requirements in the year they are due to recertify, but intend to earn the certification again within one year. During Inactive Status, individuals do not actively hold the IBCLC credential. This status will replace the Lapsed Status described above.

To regain the IBCLC certification, during the Inactive Status, individuals can either sit and pass the examination without meeting the current eligibility requirements, or recertify by CERPs (75 CERPs), which at that time will include the self-assessment. All candidates exiting Inactive Status
via either method must also complete an additional 15 CERPs.

Should one not reapply for certification in the year of the Inactive Status, then one would need to sit and pass the examination, having met the initial candidate eligibility requirements. Should an IBCLC choose not to enter into the Inactive Status and let their certification expire, then they would need to sit and pass the examination, meeting the initial candidate eligibility requirements.

More information about Inactive Status will be posted as it becomes available.

You can make this change as long as you are within the deadline to recertify via CERPs. Please contact your IBLCE regional customer service team to make a request.

Due to the fact that you failed the exam, your certification is no longer valid. You may not recertify by CERPs.

Due to the fact that you did not meet recertification requirements by the deadline, your certification is no longer valid.

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.

The recertification policy is such that IBCLCs can recertify early by one year by taking, and successfully passing, the exam. Please note that if you choose to recertify one year early in this manner, then your expiration date will be five years from when you passed the exam (e.g. If you are due to recertify in 2019, but you pass an exam in 2018, then your next expiration date will be 2023 and not 2024). If you are denied or fail the April or September  examination, your certification will expire on June 30^th or December 31^st of that year respectively.

IBCLCs are not able to recertify by CERPs one year early.

The last day to submit an application to recertify via CERPs is September 30^th of the year of your expiration.

IBCLCs are not required to demonstrate any continuing education recognition points (CERPs) in order to qualify for the exam.