As you make your plans regarding the 2021 IBCLC examination, we have some updates on the testing modalities and candidate financial options for you to consider.
To give candidates more time to review these new options, the deadline to apply for the April/May 2021 IBCLC examination offered only in English has been extended by one week.
The deadline for applications to the April/May 2021 IBCLC examination is now January 27, 2021.
IBLCE has implemented the following options to help you make an informed decision about the IBCLC examination this year:
Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) in 2021
IBLCE will offer the April/May and September 2021 IBCLC examination administrations via Live Remote Proctoring in English, which is currently the only language offered by IBLCE’s third-party testing vendor.
IBLCE is making this option available again in 2021 after reviewing a variety of factors, including:
- Accreditation: IBLCE was able to offer LRP in 2020 as an exception afforded by IBLCE’s third-party accreditor. After reviewing new guidance from our accreditor, IBLCE has determined we can offer this again in 2021, given this new guidance and the continued impact of COVID-19.
- User Experience: Adjustments are being made to enhance the testing experience in 2021. Due to an unanticipated high volume brought about by the pandemic and internet bandwidth issues in some locations, there were sustained technical issues (in approximately 4% of IBCLC examination administrations) via Live Remote Proctoring. We appreciate that this was a very frustrating experience for these candidates. We will provide further information on our website regarding enhancements as it becomes available.
- Language: IBLCE’s testing vendor currently offers LRP only in English. IBLCE and other certification organisations have requested that the testing vendor make further languages available in Live Remote Proctoring. IBLCE will provide further information as it becomes available.
IBLCE has approved the use of LRP for 2021 IBCLC examination administrations in light of the ongoing global pandemic. Any use of LRP for IBCLC examinations in 2022 and beyond will be subject to further review.
Financial Options in 2021
Please see the full list of your financial options below:
| Who | What | When |
| ALL Approved Candidates (April/May and September) | Partial Refund (50% of fees paid) | April/May Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by April 5, 2021. September Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by September 1, 2021. |
| INITIAL Approved Candidates (April/May and September) This also applies to those who were deferred from the 2020 examinations. | Defer fees to one of the next two examinations* *Candidates must apply and meet the certification requirements in the year that they sit the examination. | Submit request with documented extraordinary circumstances* before your examination date or within 30 days after the examination window. |
| RECERTIFYING BY EXAMINATION Approved Candidates (April/May and September) This also applies to those IBCLCs who were deferred from the 2020 examinations. | Defer fees to one of the next two examinations* and receive a one-year certification extension to December 31, 2022. *Candidates must apply and meet the recertification requirements in the year that they sit the examination. | Submit request with documented extraordinary circumstances* and 15 L-CERPs before your examination date or within 30 days after the examination window. |
| ALL Approved Candidates (April/May and September) This also applies to those who were deferred from the 2020 examinations. | Full Refund | April/May Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by April 5, 2021 with documented extraordinary circumstances*. September Candidates: Submit request to IBLCE by September 1, 2021 with documented extraordinary circumstances*. Those who were deferred from the 2020 examinations and wish to request a full refund do not need to submit a new full 2021 examination application in order to request a full refund. If you intend to sit an examination in 2021 then you will need to submit a new application. Please contact your IBLCE regional location for further information. |
*Extraordinary circumstances also include COVID-19 related concerns, such as job loss of the candidate and/or partner/spouse, COVID-19 health issue for candidate or immediate family member, and/or concern for going into the public due to COVID-19
For more details about these options visit the IBLCE COVID-19 Resource Centre of the IBLCE website, as specific information and updates will be provided there when it is available. These options are only applicable to 2021 examination candidates due to COVID-19.
There will be further updates to the IBLCE COVID-19 Resource Centre’s LRP information this week to align with this announcement. We will continue to update the IBLCE COVID-19 Resource Centre to provide you with up-to-date information to help make decisions in this continued highly fluid environment. Please check back frequently to keep up with the latest developments.
If you have any questions about the options available for the 2021 IBCLC examination administration, please contact the IBLCE location that serves you.
If you are ready to apply, you can learn more about applying for the examination as an initial candidate here, or learn more about applying for recertification here.
The April/May 2021 IBCLC examination is administered in English only. You can find applications in English in our new online credential management system here.
The September 2021 IBCLC examination will be available in all IBLCE languages. Applications for the September examination will open on April 19, 2021.