I agree with Karleen.  I'll paste some thoughts I posted in the "IBCLC2B" group below from the perspective of someone who very much wants to become an IBCLC but is extremely frustrated with all the roadblocks (not being an RN).  Really, I'm wanting perspective from others on how this would benefit anyone?  (Moms if it can't be required for counselor/educator positions, or current/future IBCLC's).
******
As an aspiring LC I'd like to provide my input on the new 
paraprofessional certification credential.  While on the surface this 
appears to be a really good idea - getting a standard of education 
for those working with breastfeeding pairs - unless there is going to 
be some type of mandate that agencies only use persons with this 
credential (or an IBCLC) I think the credential will be largely 
useless, as it still allows for untrained individuals to be hired to 
such positions.  Although it is certainly "best practice" for hospitals to hire an IBCLC should they chose to offer lactation services, there are still many hospitals in my area who hire RN "lactation nurses" because there is no mandate requiring that only IBCLC's be hired for lactation positions (in the same way that only someone with appropriate education and licensure can be hired on as a "nurse").  If we haven't even reached a point where ILCA and IBLCE have been able to promote the profession to the point that hospitals, etc. hire only IBCLC's, how can we expect that we will get WIC clinics and other agencies to hire only those with this new certification? 

Furthermore, I think it will only serve to dilute 
the authority and respect that the IBCLC credential has.  So many 
agencies are already reluctant to spend the money on an IBCLC, and 
the potential job market for future IBCLC's - especially those not 
already RN's - is bleak at best.  A lesser credential will offer 
companies yet another "out" for avoiding spending the money on hiring 
true professionals in the field.  As the professional organization 
for lactation consultants, I think offering such a credential would 
be doing a huge diservice to the persons IBLCE is designed to promote 
and support.  Until LC is recognized by everyone to be a unique and 
legitimate health care profession and it becomes illegal to hire 
anyone without specific training and credentials (IBCLC) to lactation 
jobs (in the same way that is is unlawful for a hospital to hire 
someone as a nurse without proof she has completed her education and passed 
her RN test), I strongly and firmly believe that IBCLC needs to 
remain the gold standard credential that we (and our professional 
organization) promote.  I think IBLCE needs to focus first on standardizing the
training (didactic and clinical) for prospective IBCLCs and work on
gaining respect and value for IBCLC as a profession - separate from
RNs and other maternal/child health professionals - before it focuses
on offering a lesser credential that there is no guarantee will be
used by the agencies it targets.

********
I understand that idea is to get a standard of care, but given the above, can we really expect that to happen?  An I completely off base in being concerned about this new credential?  I'd love some other insights!
Lynne

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