IBLCE Replaces Pathways 
                 
                  Dear Fellow IBCLCs,

                  Great news! The Board has approved revised eligibility criteria for the IBCLC certification exam. 

                  You, our best recruiters and advocates, are the first to know about the changes. Please spread the news!

                  The new requirments are explained below, along with answers to some questions we thought you might have.

                  Tell your recruits and colleagues to watch our website for more detailed information and feel free to include this announcement in your association newsletter.


                  Anna Utter, IBCLC
                  Regional Director
                  IBLCE in the Americas
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                  Revised Eligibility Criteria Effective for the 2009 Exam


                  The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is pleased to announce revised eligibility criteria for individuals wishing to become International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). The changes reflect IBLCE's commitment to public safety and to the advancement of the lactation consultant profession.
                   
                  There are now four ways to become eligible for the exam:
                   

                    1.. Graduate from a Lactation Specific Academic Program 
                    2.. Be a Licensed or Registered Healthcare Professional 
                    3.. Be a Provider of Breastfeeding Counselor within a Supervised Setting 
                    4.. Complete a Mentored Lactation Education Plan
                   
                  All eligibility criteria are considered to be minimum requirements. Based upon the individual's training and background, additional coursework or lactation specific clinical practice hours may be needed to successfully complete the examination. 
                   
                  Individuals wishing to take the IBLCE exam in 2009 may qualify through these revised criteria. Persons who have been working toward exam eligibility under the former pathways should contact us at [log in to unmask]  
                   Lactation Specific Academic Program
                  With a vision toward the future, eligibility criteria have been established for individuals who graduate from lactation specific academic programs. IBCLE has established these criteria as the preferred method for IBCLC exam eligibility to encourage the development of more lactation specific academic programs. 



                  The program must be provided at an accredited university, college, or community college and meet the following requirements:

                  ·      A minimum of one year of full-time lactation/breastfeeding education (or equivalent) which results in a one-year certificate, a two-year associate degree, or a four-year bachelor's degree.

                  ·      A minimum of 90 hours of didactic instruction which covers the IBLCE examination blueprint.

                  ·      Primary faculty must be currently certified IBCLCs who have re-certified at least once.

                  ·      A minimum of 300 lactation specific clinical practice hours2 that are directly supervised3 by currently certified IBCLCs and provided in multiple practice settings.

                  ·      Completion of at least one course in each of the six health disciplines recommended by IBLCE4 unless already studied as part of the student's professional training.



                  ·      Program director is administratively responsible for the program, including having responsibility for monitoring and periodically evaluating the IBCLCs who provide direct supervision.



                  Licensed/Registered Health Care Professional

                  The candidate must be licensed or registered in the state, district, territory, province, or country to practice as a health care professional and complete the following requirements:

                  ·      A minimum of 45 hours of lactation specific education1 within the 5 years immediately prior to exam application.

                  ·      1000 lactation specific clinical practice hours2 within the 5 years immediately prior to exam application.




                  Other Provider

                  The candidate must be accredited or certified to provide care and counseling to lactating women, must be working or volunteering within an organization that ensures supervision of his/her clinical practice and complete the following requirements:

                  ·      A minimum of 45 hours of lactation specific education1 within the 5 years immediately prior to exam application. 

                  ·      2000 lactation specific clinical practice hours2 within the 5 years immediately prior to exam application.

                  ·      Applicants following these exam eligibility criteria are advised to complete at least one course in each of the six health disciplines recommended by IBLCE4.



                  Mentored Lactation Education Plan

                  Individuals preparing for exam eligibility through a mentored lactation education plan are not required to have any specific professional or educational background. This mentorship method for IBCLC education (formerly called Pathway F) has the following requirements:

                  ·      The mentored lactation education plan is approved by IBLCE prior to beginning the directly supervised3 clinical practice requirement.

                  ·      Direct supervision3 is provided by one or more currently certified IBCLCs who have recertified at least once. It is the candidates responsibility to locate and contract with one or more mentors.

                  ·      The candidate completes a minimum of 45 hours of lactation specific education1 within the 5 years immediately prior to exam application. This requirement may be met prior to or concurrent with the required directly supervised3 lactation specific clinical practice2 hours.

                  ·      Within three (3) years of plan approval, the candidate completes a minimum of 500 directly supervised3 lactation specific clinical practice hours2 that covers all the skill sets listed on the Clinical Competencies for IBCLC Practice. Clinical practice in at least two settings is highly recommended.

                  ·      Applicants participating in a mentored lactation education plan are advised to complete at least one course in each of the six health disciplines recommended by IBLCE4. 



                 



                 
                 
           
           
     


            

     


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