Introduction to IBLCE
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is a non-profit organisation governed by a Board of Directors. It was established to develop and administer the certification examination for Lactation Consultants. The IBLCE examination is the premier, internationally recognised measure of competence in Lactation Consulting. Founded in 1985, the IBLCE has administered annual examinations, in multiple languages and at numerous sites around the world. The IBLCE exam has been fully accredited by the prestigious US National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the body which sets stringent standards for certifying organisations.
Candidates who pass the IBLCE examination attain the designation IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). IBCLCs adhere to a Code of Ethics and provide substantive breastfeeding assistance and skilled technical management of breastfeeding problems. The primary purpose of the IBLCE is to benefit the public by setting standards for the Lactation Consultant Profession. The IBLCE is proud of its role as an organisation which:
- » sets standards that protect mothers and babies
- » independently evaluates professional competence
- » enables identification of recognised skills
- » motivates Health Professionals to broaden their breastfeeding expertise
- » recognises that specialist skills in lactation are needed within multiple professions
- » raises standards of care in lactation management
- » initiated the development of a skilled profession
- » protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding worldwide
History of IBLCE
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is a non-profit organisation established to develop and administer a voluntary certification program for lactation consultants. Founded in 1985, it administers annual examinations, in several languages, at numerous sites around the world.
Over the past twenty years many scientific studies have validated the benefits of breastfeeding. At the same time, mother support organisations were developing a significant body of breastfeeding management skills. From this knowledge, in the 1980s a new allied health care provider began to emerge. However, there were no competency standards for this new role.
As an international leader in providing guidelines for breastfeeding and mother-to-mother support, La Leche League International (LLLI) made a commitment to facilitate the development of standards for this new field. A panel of sixty experts representing a variety of health professions, backgrounds, and geographic locations were involved in developing the standards out of which the competencies and scope of practice for Lactation Consultants was developed.
The constitutional meeting of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) was held in March 1985. Canada, El Salvador and the Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia (now known as the Australian Breastfeeding Association) had sent representatives from the early planning stages and attention was given to the international need for mothers and babies to be protected by competency standards.
The US National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is responsible for developing stringent guidelines for health certifying organisations, and to accredit those which meet the criteria. The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) has used the NCCA's guidelines since its inception. At its initial accreditation it was one of only two organisations accredited by the Commission on first application.
NCCA guidelines require that certification organisations be administratively, financially, and corporately independent, and thus not subject to outside control. The IBLCE is a completely independent organisation, quite separate from the professional and mother support associations. The IBLCE was initially accredited by the NCCA in 1988, after having conducted the three examination administrations required as one criterion for eligibility. In 1993 and 1998, the IBLCE was reaccredited for further five year periods. As part of this process, the IBLCE periodically conducts a Role Delineation Study. IBCLCs worldwide are surveyed for details of their practice and the knowledge base they require. The exam blueprint is based on this Study.
