If you are not a Health Professional

I’d like to be a Lactation Consultant . . .

IBLCE frequently receives inquiries from people who have met an inspiring Lactation Consultant, often in relation to their own breastfeeding experience, and now they are interested in becoming an IBCLC themselves. Unfortunately, this is rarely a realistic option.

Passing the IBLCE’s international certification exam is the only recognised pathway to becoming a Lactation Consultant. To be accepted as a candidate, applicants must first meet eligibility pre-requisites. These include participation in lactation education as well as achieving the required clinical competencies through extensive prior experience as a breastfeeding counsellor, in an accredited capacity. Most candidates acquire this experience working as a Health Professional in a hospital or community setting. A few have served for many years as Accredited Mother Support Counsellors. However, personal breastfeeding experience, wonderful as it is, does not meet this requirement.

Most candidates are already qualified and experienced Health Professionals or Breastfeeding Counsellors before they take the next step to become a “Consultant”. IBCLC's are the specialists that mothers (and other Health Professionals) turn to, usually when standard measures have not solved the problem. The skills and knowledge required to pass the exam cannot be solely learnt from books, which is why clinical experience is necessary.

IBLCE’s eligibility requirements are based on data collected over the years that indicate the minimum requirements for a candidate to have a reasonable chance of passing the exam and being competent to enter the profession. At this stage of development of the profession, there is no single complete training program that covers both the education and practical experience required.

You may want to contact your local breastfeeding support group for more information on their activities.