Step 3: Apply for Recertification

To gain admission to the examination, candidates must present TWO (2) forms of identification. The primary ID must be a valid, unexpired government-issued identification that includes the candidate’s name, current photograph, and signature, and the secondary ID must have either their name and signature or their name and current photograph.

• The FIRST form of identification MUST be one of the following government-issued IDs:
  • driver’s license with photograph
  • international/national/regional/local identification card with photograph
  • passport with photograph
  • military identification card with photograph
  • green card, permanent residence card, or visa with photograph

• The SECOND form of identification MUST display the candidate’s name and signature or name and current photograph. Acceptable forms of secondary ID include but are not limited to:
  • credit card (not permitted for Live Remote Proctoring)
  • social security card (not permitted for Live Remote Proctoring)
  • employment/student ID card
  • professional license
  • health insurance cards

Please note: only IDs in English will be accepted for LRP examinations. 

The names on the IDs must match and must be the same name as the one on file with IBLCE on the day of your appointment. Name changes can be made with IBLCE by the posted deadline.

IBLCE’s revised strategic plan contemplates a strategic language policy as well as financial sustainability.  The World Health Organization, with a substantial budget, often makes its information available in just 6 languages, while IBLCE currently offers its examination in 17.  Analysing longitudinal data over multiple years, there is relatively low demand for the examination in 7 languages, and given the extensive costs associated with the translation and publication of the examination into each language, IBLCE is transitioning, effective 2024, to focusing its efforts on the 10 most frequently administered examination languages/those which are financially sustainable.

This is a matter of equity to the global IBCLC community as well as good stewardship.  As the CE Self-Assessment is available in all 17 languages, current IBCLCs have a method to recertify with a number of cost-effective ways to earn continuing education.

The languages being discontinued for examination administration commencing in 2024 include Croatian, Dutch, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Polish, and Slovenian. See data for candidates taking the examination to earn the credential for the last three years in these languages below. 

These languages have had low demand among initial test-takers for a number of years; the data provided above is for the last three years.

This decision has been made objectively, on the basis of data and sustainability.

No, what this means is that at present, the second administration of 2023 will be the last year the IBCLC examination will be offered in these languages.  Moving forward, for the IBCLC examination to be translated into a language, whether new languages or those currently being discontinued, the requirements of the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy must be met if there is not a history of an examination language meeting threshold sustainability metrics.  This is fair, objective, and financially responsible.

IBLCE will continue to provide information in these languages on its website and in its Briefings, just as it does currently.  IBLCE intends to maintain its current network of IBLCE Coordinators.  Effective for those recertifying in 2024, IBCLCs in these languages will need to recertify by CE Self-Assessment and continuing education.  For examination translation into one of these languages or any new languages, the requirements set forth in the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy must be met inclusive of necessary lead time for examination translation.

After reviewing the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy, please reach out to the regional location which serves you.

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.

The IBCLC is a professional credential.  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.  Additionally, a great deal of expertise, time, and resources go into the development of examination questions or items.  Certification professionals estimate that typically the value of examination items is $1,000 to $2,000 USD per item.  Security is important both to the health and safety of the public as well as to the health of the certification board which develops the examination items. 

IBLCE works with both the third-party testing vendor and examination candidates to seat candidates as near as reasonably feasible to their home.  However, the availability of an appointment at a location near your home cannot be guaranteed. The sooner you schedule your appointment for the examination, the wider your options will be. Although the test centre network is worldwide, in some limited situations, you may need to travel further from your home to a test centre.

In 2023, candidates testing in English have the option to take the examination at home or other location via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). Please check here to learn more.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice,  for taking the IBCLC examination in 2023 here.

The IBCLC examination is offered in March/April and September each year. The examination administration dates are listed on the Key Dates page. Please note that the March/April examination is only offered in the English language. The September examination is offered in all of the following languages.

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).

IBCLC Examination Languages

• Chinese Traditional
• Croatian*
• Danish
• Dutch*
• English
• French
• German
• Greek*
• Hungarian*
• Indonesian*
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Polish*
• Portuguese
• Slovenian*
• Spanish

* These languages are being discontinued for examination administration commencing in 2024. IBLCE is transitioning to focusing its efforts on the 10 most frequently administered examination languages/those which are financially sustainable. Moving forward, for the IBCLC examination to be translated into a language, whether new languages or those currently being discontinued, the requirements of the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy must be met.

Examination cut scores (pass/fail criteria) are established using standard psychometric procedures that involve peer-based judgement about the level of performance expected of an IBCLC. As a certification board, IBLCE is devoted to public health and safety and therefore there is a fundamental public interest in assuring that professional certification examination scores are valid and reliable, and that the integrity of the items is maintained. IBLCE strives to and has been recognised for over thirty years as maintaining the highest standards of testing and operates under standard policies, procedures, and guidelines to see that score results and examination outcomes accurately and correctly represent the competency of the examination candidate.

You will be able to apply to resit the examination at the next examination seating in that language. If you are taking the examination in English, then you have the option of the April or September examination. If you are taking the examination in a non-English language, you will be able to apply to sit the September examination. Information about reapplying will be provided at the time of the examination results. If you don’t pass the IBCLC examination, then you are eligible to receive a 50% discounted examination fee for the next three examination attempts or up to three years following the first time you don’t pass. Both initial and recertification examination candidates are eligible for the discounted rate. The fee amount can be found in the IBLCE Fee Guide.

Examination results become available in IBLCE’s online credential management accounts 10-12 weeks after the end of the examination window.

April examination: certification start date of July 1

September examination: certification start date of January 1

After candidates have spent so long preparing for the IBCLC examination, IBLCE® very much understands that candidates are anxious to receive their results as soon as possible. However, it takes some time for results to be finalised – and this is for two reasons which ultimately are for the benefit of IBCLCs and candidates.

The IBCLC is a truly global credential. With nearly 36,000 IBCLCs worldwide in 131 countries, the IBCLC is highly visible around the globe and represents the gold standard in lactation care. As a world-recognised credential, many breastfeeding families seek to work with professionals who are IBCLCs. To score a professional examination for a global programme means that the examination must be scored in all the languages in which the examination is offered. In the case of the IBCLC, this constitutes 17 languages.

Once the examination administration closes, the post-administration analysis begins. The IBCLC examination results are reviewed item by item. Any item that performed unexpectedly goes to subject matter experts (SMEs) for further review. This careful review takes time, but, ultimately, it is to provide the most fair and accurate results to IBCLC test-takers.

The IBCLC is a truly global credential which requires careful review in all the languages in which it is offered and to facilitate fairness and accuracy of results.

The Detailed Content Outline outlines the subject matter that is tested on the certification examination. Each item, or question, on the examination is referenced to a particular discipline and chronological period listed on the blueprint. IBLCE does not currently offer an assessment guide.

Test centres are provided by a major testing vendor and appointments for a seat at the test centre of your choice must be made by you. IBLCE is one of many certification boards and organisations for which the third-party testing vendor provides examinations at its test centres. For this reason, reservation blocks for IBCLC examination appointments are available for a specified period of time each year, and it is important that candidates take responsibility for making their appointments promptly. Information about scheduling deadlines will be provided to you in your examination authorisation email.

IBLCE works with both the third-party testing vendor and examination candidates to seat candidates as near as reasonably feasible to their home.  However, the availability of an appointment at a location near your home cannot be guaranteed.

In 2023, candidates testing in English may have the option to take the examination at home or other location via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). Please check here to learn more.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice,  for taking the IBCLC examination in 2023 here.

The English, Spanish, and German applications are available online via the Credential Management System. Additional application languages are available on each translated IBLCE website section.

Our system accepts payment by credit card and prepaid credit card. Mastercard, VISA, and Discover cards are accepted. Payment is accepted in US dollars only. Payment in other currencies will be converted to US dollars based on the exchange rate for the date of transaction.

Yes, the test centre will provide you with all the equipment and materials you need to take the IBCLC examination.

If you take the examination via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), you must provide your own equipment. Learn more about the technical and environmental requirements for LRP here.

You will select an available appointment with the testing vendor directly. After you have scheduled an appointment you will receive a confirmation email which includes the location of the test centre where you are scheduled.  You may reconfirm the test centre location at any time using the testing vendor’s website.

In 2023, candidates testing in English may have the option to take the examination at home or other location via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). Please check here to learn more.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice,  for taking the IBCLC examination in 2023 here.

No. You will not owe any money when you make your appointment directly with the testing vendor.

To gain admission to the examination, candidates must present TWO (2) forms of identification.

The primary ID must have the candidate’s name, current photograph, and signature, and the secondary ID must have either their name and signature or their name and current photograph. Review the details of these requirements in the Candidate Information Guide.

Please note: If you are taking the examination via LRP, you may not use a bank/credit card or social security card as a form of ID.

The names on the IDs must match and must be the same name as the one on file with IBLCE. Candidates who need to update or make changes to their name MUST contact IBLCE with these changes and such updates/changes must be made by the deadline listed in examination authorisation email; however, the IDs must be valid, unexpired, and match at the time of examination check-in.

When you arrive at the test centre, you will need to register with the test administrator, your identification will be inspected, and you will be asked to sign in. In addition, you will be required to store your personal items (e.g. jewelry, watches, bags) in a locker for which you will be provided a key. You may want to consider leaving valuable or other treasured items at home if you are not comfortable leaving them in a locker.  Much like the airport, you will be required to undergo wanding with a hand-held device or to walk through a metal detector.  This is an important security step to protect the integrity of the examination content and the certification. Wanding allows for the detection of concealed, prohibited items that candidates may have on their person.  This scanning must be performed for all candidates unless the candidate has an implanted medical device such as an insulin pump or pacemaker that is documented by a medical card.  Please note that due to COVID-19, wanding may not occur at your test centre.  You will be asked to demonstrate that your pockets are empty. Candidates who are wearing a cast due to a fractured limb may be subject to inspection, as are candidates with tattoos. Please understand that these measures are part of standard test centre security procedures.

Please note: candidates will be asked to agree to Test Centre Regulations upon arrival to the test centre. If a candidate does not comply with these regulations, then they may be dismissed from the examination with forfeiture of the examination fees paid, including invalidation of the test score and/or pursuit of civil or criminal charges.

IMPORTANT: Please review test centre policies regarding social distancing, etc. here.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice,  for taking the IBCLC examination in 2023 here.

Rescheduling is possible until a date specified by IBLCE so long as appointments are available. Candidates may reschedule or cancel an examination appointment without penalty up to 30 days before the scheduled appointment date.  Within 5-29 days of the scheduled appointment, candidates will need to pay a $50 reschedule fee which will be paid directly to the third-party testing vendor by the candidate.  No rescheduling or cancelling is permitted within five days of a scheduled appointment.  If the candidates fails to appear for the scheduled test appointment, the test fee will be forfeited.

If your examination appointment is cancelled because the test centre is closed due to COVID-19, no rescheduling fee will be applied. Visit the Examination Resource Centre to find the latest COVID-19-related examination news.

Candidates should allow adequate time for arrival at the examination.

Candidates are required to arrive at the test centre 30 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment. This should give candidates adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. Candidates who arrive more than 30 minutes late for their appointment will be refused admission and examination fees will be forfeited.

Candidates taking the examination via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) should launch their examination 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled examination time.

Candidates who arrive more than 30 minutes late for their appointment will be refused admission and examination fees will be forfeited. Likewise, candidates who fail to appear for their examination appointment will forfeit all rights to any refund of examination fees. Failure to make an appointment by the posted deadlines will result in the forfeiture of the examination fees paid.

Please contact the IBLCE regional location that serves you as soon as possible with details about the nature of your emergency.

You may bring bottled water and/or a small snack to the test centre, but you will be required to keep the water and snack in your assigned locker, along with your purse, backpack, mobile phone, and other personal belongings. Please ask the test centre administrator about where you are permitted to eat and drink. Liquids can damage keyboards and other computer equipment so you may not have any liquids at your examination station.

If you are taking the examination via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), please check here for more information.

Yes, for candidates taking the IBCLC examination at a test centre, you may take up to two unscheduled breaks to use the restroom. You will not be given any additional time on the examination to make up for the time used. You can also use the five-minute scheduled break granted between Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination. When you return from the restroom, you will be required to go through the check-in process again for the test administrator to re-admit you to the examination.

If you are taking the examination via LRP, 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. After your scheduled break, you will be required to go through the check-in process again to be re-admitted to the examination.

The examination is composed of multiple-choice questions with a stem and four response choices.  You must select the best response of the choices provided. 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 appointment is four hours’ duration. This includes time allocated for reading IBLCE’s non-disclosure agreement, an optional system tutorial, one scheduled break, and the examination content. Additional testing time may be provided for those with documented reasonable accommodations. Thirty (30) extra minutes of time are allocated to the examination content for test takers who attest on the application that their primary language is not among those into which the IBCLC examination is translated.

Yes. You will be permitted to review questions in each examination session. The examination is administered in two parts and you will be able to review questions in each part of the examination, i. e., once you have submitted Part 1, those questions can no longer be reviewed nor answers revised.

You will not be allowed to use your mobile/cell phone or electronic devices during the examination or during any breaks that you take during the examination administration. 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. Candidates who bring their cell phones or other electronic devices to the examination must power them off (putting them on silent/mute is not sufficient) and store them for the duration of the examination.

At a test centre, candidates must store electronic devices in the locker designated by the test administrator/IBLCE Examination Proctor.

More information about preparing your workspace for a Live Remote Proctored examination can be found here.

[Please note: Neither the test administrators/IBLCE Examination Proctors nor IBLCE are responsible for candidates’ personal property.]

No. IBLCE offers computer-based testing (CBT) for the examination worldwide.

The one-sided score report is a summary of your individual performance in each of the scientific disciplines (objectives) that were tested. In the column “Your Score” the number is the number of points (items) you answered correctly. In the “Max Score” column, the number is the total number of points (items) in that category. This analysis will help you to identify your particular areas of strength and weakness and to plan for your continuing education.

The content area scores by discipline on the score report are not used to determine pass-fail decision outcomes.  They are only provided to offer a general indication regarding candidate performance in each content area. The examination is designed to provide a consistent and precise determination of a candidate’s overall performance and is not designed to provide complete information regarding a candidate’s performance in each content area.  Candidates should remember that areas with a larger number of items (questions) will affect the overall score more than areas with a fewer number of items.  The precision and consistency of scores diminishes with fewer items, and therefore, sub-scores should be interpreted with caution, especially those that correspond to content areas with very few items.

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:

• A visual inspection will be conducted before you start the examination as part of the security protocol.
• IBLCE recommends not bringing any personal items into the test centre. If you do, you will be required to store all personal items in a location designated by the test centre administrator. This may include your watch and jewellery. Mobile/cell phones or other electronic devices brought to the site must be powered OFF and not be turned on at all during the entire length of the examination, including breaks. The test centre administrator is not responsible for candidates’ personal property.
• 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.
• Only pre-approved comfort aids or pre-approved medical aids/devices are permitted into the testing room. Please check your pre-approved accommodations listed in your Examination Authorisation Email.
• Candidates who finish the examination early may leave the examination site. The test centre administrator will give specific instructions about exiting the examination area.
• Questions concerning the examination content are not permitted. Test centre administrators are not allowed to provide interpretation or clarification of examination questions and/or define words.
• Talking to or communicating in any way with another examination candidate is not permitted during the examination.
• 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.
• Candidates may not leave the test centre during the examination administration or breaks; leaving the test centre will result in an immediate dismissal from the examination.
• Written notes, published materials, and other testing aids are strictly prohibited during the examination and during your scheduled break.
• You will be asked to agree to all the testing vendor’s testing regulations before your examination. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in dismissal from your examination.

Please review the Candidate Information Guide or Recertification Guide for more information about candidate conduct during the IBCLC examination.

You can learn more about important rules for taking the IBCLC examination via LRP here.

As a certification board, IBLCE is devoted to public health and safety and therefore there is a fundamental public interest in assuring that professional certification examination scores are valid and reliable, and that the integrity of the items is maintained. IBLCE strives to and has been recognised for over thirty years as maintaining the highest standards of testing and operates under standard policies, procedures, and guidelines to see that score results and examination outcomes accurately and correctly represent the competency of the examination candidate.

IBLCE actively monitors for examination irregularities and potential sharing of examination content. Related to these activities, IBLCE reserves the right to cancel the examination scores of candidates if observed transmission of examination items and/or statistical analysis identifies any examination irregularities.

During the application process, candidates expressly acknowledge and agree to have read and are subject to the IBLCE® Code of Professional Conduct for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and the IBLCE Disciplinary Procedures.

Applicants also agree to the following at the time of application:

· “Expressly understand and agree that, without limitation, IBLCE may deny, revoke, suspend or otherwise take action with regard to your eligibility for certification or recertification in the case of: irregularity in connection with any IBCLC examination…”