I do see the point so many of you are making about the licensing of LCs to
make sure that there is a high standard of care.  I am afraid that licensing
is no guarantee that there will be any better LCs than there are right now.
There are all sort of licensing requirements for doctors, lawyers (bar
exams), electricians, teachers and all sorts of professionals.  And yet, I
personally have met people in all of those professions who did a disservice
to their profession.  And there are others who are wonderful.  How do you
find a good electrician?  Well, you can try trial and error, or you can ask
someone else who has had experience with electricians.   When I had my
private practice (all be it I only had it for a short while) I got calls
from women who had heard of me from other women who were happy and satisfied
with the help that I had given to them.   When I couldn't see a client, I
would refer them to an other LC whos work  was familiar with.  And I might
add, there were some I would not refer to no matter what!

If licensing becoems mandatory, I will get licenced.  I don't think it will
another piece of paper will make me any better at what I do.  But maybe if I
get enough pieces of paper I can charge more money!

Nancy Sherwood IBCLC, LLLL Perth, Australia