To sit the IBCLC certification examination, you are to meet eligibility criteria in the three areas below, as well as adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs.
The IBCLC examination eligibility requirements are designed to ensure that all applicants have a health sciences background, a minimum of 90 hours lactation specific education (including, beginning in 2025, two (2) hours focused on the WHO Code) and 5 hours of communications skills education for a total of 95 hours of education, as well as relevant clinical experience and adherence to the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs. There are three pathways (Pathway 1, Pathway 2, or Pathway 3) of Lactation Specific Clinical Experience so that individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds gain the knowledge and skills relevant to practise as an IBCLC.
The skills in the Clinical Competencies for the Practice of IBCLCs and Scope of Practice for IBCLCs are representative of the ways in which IBCLCs apply this knowledge to clinical situations.
Please visit this page to help determine which pathway may be right for you.
Updated Requirements
Please note: There are a few changes to certification eligibility starting with examination applications for the April 2025 examination administration. Find more details below and in the Candidate Information Guide.
For the 90 hours of lactation specific education, two (2) of these hours must be focused on the WHO Code. Both IBLCE as well as the IBCLC Commission continue to work to update their respective policies and procedures to strengthen commitment to the aims of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (WHO Code). The IBCLC Commission approved the two hours of WHO Code training for candidates to further this goal and is continuing to review IBCLC programme requirements so that the importance of the WHO Code is emphasised for all IBCLC candidates.
About the IBCLC Examination
The IBCLC examination tests the application of knowledge in the disciplines listed on the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.
The IBCLC examination consists of 175 multiple choice questions. 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 is of four hours duration.
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).
The IBCLC Commission does not offer, approve, or accredit lactation education designed to prepare candidates for the certification examination. Nor does the IBCLC Commission recommend or endorse any particular programme or course in lactation education.
For more detailed information, review the Candidate Information Guide.*
*Please read in conjunction with the June 2022 Updated Interim Guidance on the Use of Technology to Meet Pathways 1, 2, and 3 Clinical Practice Requirements (Reissued on June 30, 2022).