Dear Lactnetters:
      This is my first posting to a list (and my third try, at that), so I
hope that it makes it to lactnet before the licensure issue is a vague
memory!
      I am a private practice LC (7 years) and CLE who is also a RN (I
cringed at some of the recent "nurse" posts!).  I am also a member  and
perennial board member of PRO-LC, Eastern Pennsylvania's ILCA affiliate.
 While I do consultation in homes and my office, and rent a bizillion breast
pumps, my favorite part of my job is education---of health care professionals
and expectant parents (Coach Smith is my hero!).  I am the mother of Michael
(9), Danny (7), and Molly (4).
     I, too, find that many inexperienced and unqualified people are taking
(and passing) the IBCLE.  Often, home health agencies are sending nurses so
that they can tell the third party payors that they provide LC services.
 Just being a maternal-child health nurse for a couple of years gives them
the hours, and they go off to Georgetown for the CERPS.   The parents lose
out when they reach out for help, and receive inappropriate care.  The
profession suffers when inappropriate care is given.
    But will licensure solve the problem?  Just reading Lactnet for the past
few months tells me that we've all run into licensed healthcare providers who
do not provide good care.  Maybe licensure would be a good idea, BUT, IMHO we
really need supervised clinical hours.  Experienced LCs need to mentor new
LCs.  Perhaps an internship of 6 mos. to a year before full certification.
 Ideally, the internship would include different rotations, giving novice LC
a variety of experiences.  Physicians, nurses, (even beauticians!) all need
to have this supervised learning period.  It won't insure that everyone
practices well, butI think it would help.
    Of course, in our young profession, there aren't enough LCs available to
mentor new LCs in many parts of the world. I look forward to your ideas!