Pathway 2 IBCLC applicants must complete a comprehensive academic programme in human lactation and breastfeeding that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or another accrediting body with equivalent accreditation standards for lactation academic programmes. The programme must be accredited at the time of the candidate’s completion.
These comprehensive lactation academic programmes are university or college-based, include both didactic and clinical components, and require health sciences education, whether as a prerequisite or as education which must be earned concurrently, prior to completion of the academic programme.
All Pathway 2 applicants complete an accredited lactation academic programme that integrates the following in the curriculum:
- Minimum of 90 hours of lactation specific education within the five years immediately prior to examination application.
- Including two (2) hours of WHO Code Education
- Minimum of five (5) hours of education focused on communications skills within the five years immediately prior to the examination application.
- Preferably the five hours of education focused on communication skills will be directly related to lactation and breastfeeding care, but this is not a requirement.
- Minimum of 300 hours of directly supervised lactation specific clinical practice within the five years immediately prior to examination application.
- The IBCLC(s) providing the direct supervision must be currently certified IBCLCs in good standing.
- Adherence to, with attestation, the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs.
Pathway 2 IBCLC applicants must have completed the accredited lactation academic programme within the five years immediately prior to their examination application. Only these specific programmes are eligible.
Each academic programme has unique admission and completion requirements. You must contact the schools directly for more information about their precise requirements. For a listing of Pathway 2 programmes visit the CAAHEP website and select “Lactation Consultant” on the “Profession” pop-up menu, then select “Search” at the bottom of the menu.