Dear Lactnetters: Finally got through my pile of posts and have a synthesis of many threads... It sounds like the biggest issue on the 'hours' to be eligible to sit for the exam is if those hours were really with breastfeeding, if the LC-to-be really has that clinical experience, and if it is truly broad enough to meet all of the areas in the exam blueprint. I have heard many stories of LC-to-be with good clin. experience with newborns, but really inept when it comes to the older baby, legal issues, etc. -- the broader scope of breastfeeding. I agree with Linda Smith's statements that LCs must be broad based and in many cases generalists. LLL background is great for this because it works with so many contexts, not just a 'work/employment' based context or a 'just my personal experience' context that so many LC-to-be may be in (not meaning to devalue the importance of these contexts, btw). WIC staff background/context may be good, too. However, it is not always feasible for every LC to be everything to everybody. That's why we REFER -- to docs, to other LCs, to other health care professionals. But we need to KNOW what these others have to offer, so we can make appropriate referrals. I think that bf professional organizations are really important for this -- support groups for the LCs and sources of info through newsletters and CERP presentations to help LCs not only get basic technique but also learn the broader scope. Given this need for breadth beyond just the medical, I'd say my favorite text for preparing for the exam in LACTNET!. It provides far more depth and breadth than any one book, yet makes appropriate referrals to these texts for specifics. It also has fairly up-to-date info, which cannot be achieved with any printed reference (lag time due to writing, editing and publication). Finally, you don't find many jokes in Lawrence or Riordan/Auerbach... Thanks for everyone's hard, thoughtful work! --Doraine Bailey Lexington, KY ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com