IBLCE came online on 4/18/96. Our address is [log in to unmask]

        I have been reading various entries about educational qualifications
and the number of breastfeeding consultancy practice hours needed to sit for
the IBLCE exam, and would like to address the issues raised.
        The IBLCE is accredited by the National Commission for Health
Certifying Agencies, founded by the US Department of Health and Human
Services in 1977 to foster self-regulation of the health care industry.  The
NCHCA (now the NCCA) developed stringent guidelines for accrediting health
certifying organizations.         The IBLCE has utilized these guidelines
since its inception.  In accordance with these guidelines, the eligibility
requirements that IBLCE has established for its candidates may not be
arbitrary; rather, they must be based on research data and legally defensible.
        During the data collection phase of the first three administrations of the
exam, IBLCE did not impose eligibility requirements.  Anyone was allowed to
sit.  However, after analysis, the data clearly showed that those who did
not meet the eligibility thresholds that the Board finally instituted as
policy, seldom passed the exam.  Up to a certain point, those candidates who
had more formal schooling seemed to be more efficient learners, that is,
better at self-educating.  Please note that there is not a lesser
requirement for holders of MAs or PhDs than for holders of BAs.  Also, the
research did not show that licensed health care professionals were more
successful at passing the examination than fellow candidates with equivalent
levels of post-secondary education that were not degreed in a health care
field.  Furthermore, the data showed that those with a lesser amount of
formal schooling and more practice hours also passed the exam.  On the basis
of this research, the Board formalized its eligibility requirements and
instituted them with the 1988 administration of the examination.  These have
remained unaltered since that time.
        IBLCE eligibility requirements are not arbitrary or capricious, nor are
they designed to exclude any group of well-prepared, highly competent
lactation management practitioners.  Rather, the aim is to open the field
and offer the credential to anyone with the requisite expertise, however
they acquired it, while protecting the breastfeeding families that depend on
our credential to set the standards of competency.
        Please send questions or comments to the IBLCE.

Kathie Zettervall,
IBLCE Office Manager