International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
Step 1: Prepare for IBCLC Recertification
IBCLC recertification reassures the public that we serve that IBCLCs remain the most trusted source for lactation and breastfeeding care. The purpose of IBCLC recertification is to promote continued competence through professional development and lifelong learning. IBCLCs are required to recertify every five years to maintain their credential.
All recertifying IBCLCs must meet three requirements during each five-year recertification cycle:
Requirement 1: Basic Life Support Education
Examples of education that meet this are Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). A didactic and/or virtual basic life support course will be sufficient to meet the requirement. As healthcare professionals conducting in-person care, it is important to maintain basic life support education for client and patient safety. Certificants selected for audit will be asked to submit their card or certificate as proof of basic life support education.
Requirement 2: 250 Hours of Practice in Lactation Consulting
Requirement 3: Select & Complete One Recertification Method (IBCLC Examination or Recertification by CERPs)
Beginning with IBCLCs due to recertify in 2022, IBCLCs are no longer required to recertify by examination every ten years. Now, there are two options for every five-year recertification cycle:
Option 1: Recertification by Examination
Complete Basic Life Support Education
Complete 250 Hours of Clinical Practice
Apply for the IBCLC Examination
Sit the IBCLC Examination
The IBCLC examination remains an option for recertification but is no longer a requirement.
The IBCLC examination is offered twice per year, in English in April and in all IBLCE languages in September, and tests the application of knowledge in the disciplines listed on the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.
The IBCLC examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. The examination is given in two parts, and once you have completed Part One, you may not go back to that part. Most questions in Part Two are associated with an image. The standard IBCLC examination is four hours long.
British English is the foundation for all translations of the IBCLC examination. With respect to measurement, the IBCLC examination includes both metric weights and measures as well as US weights and measures, with the more prevalent metric measurement noted first, and with the US measurement noted second in a parenthetical, e.g, 30 mL (1 oz).
Option 2: Recertification by Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) with Continuing Education Self-Assessment (CE Self-Assessment)
Take the CE Self-Assessment
Complete Required CERPs
Complete Basic Life Support Education
Complete 250 Hours of Clinical Practice
Recertify by CERPs
Continuing education, now guided by the CE Self-Assessment, helps IBCLCs demonstrate the comprehensive knowledge and skills required to practise as an IBCLC. IBCLCs are required to take the CE Self-Assessment to identify their competences based upon the current IBCLC Detailed Content Outline. Using the Personalised Professional Development Plan generated by the CE Self-Assessment, IBCLCs are then required to complete 75 CERPs.
The CE Self-Assessment is designed to encourage self-reflection by using a “Blended Approach” to continuing education. This balances the commitment to maintain competence – and continuously evolve to align with professional standards in the topics outlined in the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline – while also allowing IBCLCs the flexibility to select continuing education more specific to their career path, practice setting, or interest areas. Once fully transitioned to the CE Self-Assessment, approximately half of the required number of CERPs will be prescribed by the areas identified for improvement in the Self-Assessment and the remaining CERPs will be determined by the IBCLC.
The CE Self-Assessment is a free, remote, computer-based assessment with approximately 70 multiple-choice questions taken to create a Personalised Professional Development Plan.It must be taken in one 120-minute (2-hour) time block. The CE Self-Assessment can only be taken once during a five-year recertification cycle.
2022 is the beginning of the transition period. IBCLCs recertifying in 2022 still need a total of 75 CERPs, including 7 CERPs (10%) based on the results of their CE Self-Assessment. Out of the total 75 CERPs, 20 CERPs (30%) in 2023 and 34 CERPs (50%) in 2024 must be based on the CE Self-Assessment.
Upon completion of the CE Self-Assessment, you will receive immediate feedback in the form of a Personalised Professional Development Plan. This plan will show you the topic areas of the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline where you need to focus your continuing education. You must complete at least one CERP in each area identified in your plan.
Please find the requirements for IBCLCs due to recertify by CERPs in 2022 below:
75 CERPs Required
5 E-CERPs
Basic Life Support Education (Recognised as 3 R-CERPs)
67 CERPs Determined by the CE Self-Assessment (including 50 L-CERPs)
7 CERPs (10%) Determined by your Personalised Professional Development Plan
60 CERPs determined by the IBCLC (in alignment with the Detailed Content Outline)
L-CERPS: Human Lactation & Breastfeeding
E-CERPs: Professional Ethics & Conduct
R-CERPs: Related to the practice of IBCLCs, but neither L- nor E-CERPs
IBCLCs recertifying by CERPs in 2022 can learn more about reading their Personalised Professional Development Plan in this video:
After completing all the required CERPs, as well as all additional requirements for recertification, you must submit your recertification by CERPs application and pay the fee during the posted application period.
Please keep your Personalised Professional Development Plan from the CE Self-Assessment and proof of completion of CERPs in the event of audit.
If you decide that you prefer to sit the IBCLC examination to recertify, you may apply to do so within the examination application deadline – even if you have already taken the CE Self-Assessment.
IBLCE’s Online Systems to learn how to use the CE Self-Assessment Dashboard or to submit an application to recertify by CERPs in IBLCE’s online credential management system
