2024 Examination Options
Whether you are an initial candidate or an IBCLC recertifying by examination, policies are in place to allow you to make the best decisions for you and your family given your own personal situation.
For the 2024 examination administrations, both IBCLCs and initial candidates have several choices available to them, including:
- Live Remote Proctoring (available in English only),
- Testing at a test centre,
- Deferring your fees to the next year due to documented extraordinary circumstances, or
- Partial financial refund of examination fees.
Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) in 2024
Both the April and September 2024 IBCLC examination administrations will be offered via Live Remote Proctoring in English.
How Can I Sit the IBCLC Examination in 2024?
Taking the examination in English
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Option 1: Live Remote Proctoring from your home
Available in English only and to those whose computer systems meet technical requirements.
Option 2: Testing at a Test Centre*
Taking the examination in languages other than English
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Testing at a Test Centre*
Note to All Candidates: You may defer for one year if you are not able to access live remote proctoring AND one of the following:
- You are uncomfortable going to a test centre due to COVID-19.
- Test centres in your area are closed due to local government mandates.
*Some locations may be pop-up sites
Updated November 8, 2023
Please note that LRP requires that candidates meet minimum technology requirements and are able to test in a private location. Candidates considering LRP should review the existing requirements here.
The use of LRP has been approved for 2024 IBCLC examination administrations. Any use of LRP for IBCLC examinations in 2025 and beyond will be subject to further review.
2024 IBCLC Examination Candidate Financial Options for Withdrawing/Cancelling Examination Appointment
As far as the financial choices available to you, below is a chart which sets forth financial options and decision points including relevant dates:
| Who | What | When |
| ALL candidates approved for the April 2024 or September 2024 examination | Partial Refund (50% of fees paid) | April Candidates: Submit request by March 15, 2024. September Candidates: Submit request by August 9, 2024. No documentation is required for a withdrawal with a partial refund. |
| INITIAL CANDIDATES: Candidates who are not yet IBCLCs and are approved for the April 2024 or September 2024 examination | 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. |
| CANDIDATES RECERTIFYING BY EXAMINATION: Candidates who are recertifying by examination and are approved for the April 2024 or September 2024 examination | Defer fees to one of the next two examinations* and receive a one-year certification extension to December 31, 2025. *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. |
To request a deferral to an examination in 2025, contact the region that serves you.
**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 Examination Resource Centre, as specific information and updates will be provided there when they are available.
Review the Examination Day Notice here.
Additionally, all IBCLC examination candidates are required to read and accept the Non-Disclosure Agreement and General Terms of Use for IBCLC Examinations prior to taking the IBCLC examination:
The IBCLC® examination is confidential and is protected by law. It is made available to you, the examinee, solely for the purpose of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant®. Talking to or communicating in any way with another examination candidate is not permitted during the examination and is considered cheating. You are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting this examination, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior express written permission of IBLCE. Discussing the examination items (including questions, responses, and/or images), during or after the exam, is expressly prohibited. You, the examinee, also attest that you have no previous knowledge of the questions, responses, and images that appear on the IBCLC® examination.
The testing centre may record both audio and video in the testing room while you are taking the examination.
Updated on November 8, 2023