Kim,

I could not have said it better myself!

If we are to demand that IBCLC remain up-to-date and aspiring LCs have
up-to-date information, why not demand the same from the IBLCE?

I agree that if so many "book smart onlys" and unskilled/untrained RNs can pass
the IBLCE exam with next to no education in lactation and even less experience,
then maybe the exam is too easy.  I am one of the few who left to wonder if all
of the education, subscriptions, conferences, dues, rental fees, travel expenses
and endless long distance phone bills that  I am forced to endure and PAY FOR
MYSELF (some RNs and other degree types get reimbursed) will be worth that
"entry level" certification.

While I keep screaming for change, I notice that I have little impact on these
issues and the situation will eventually cause the deterioration of this
profession.  It will not be the aspiring, hard working LC who uses the LC after
her name while working towards certifcation, it will be all of the incompetent
IBCLCs who were allowed to slip through the cracks.  As much as we like to think
that it doesn't happen, I can name a few who were Certified within the past 1-2
years who probably don't even know what I-B-C-L-C stands for!  And if you know
2, and you know 2.....  If we continue to let this kind of thing happen while
turning away the more qualified because they haven't obtained such an incredible
amount of "breastfeeding consultant hours,"  aren't we sellling ourselves short?
I personally don't relish the thought of spending $300-400 to take an exam that
I don't feel qualified to take or think that I will fail.  If I fail, why do
"they" care?  If I pass, well, then my point is made.

If you think that it would be too easy for such people to pass such an exam,
don't invent this whole hour requirement that really doesn't show any amount of
real competencies or knowledge to use as a restriction for sitting for the exam;
MAKE A HARDER or BETTER EXAM!  MAYBE "ENTRY LEVEL ISN"T GOOD ENOUGH!"  (Yes I
was SCREAMING!)  Sometimes I feel like I am talking to a wall.

Being that this is a relatively new profession, we must make the necessary
changes to preserve its integrity or we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Still waiting for IBLCE's response to this situation,
Melissa Brancho