Dear Lactnetters,

I have posted before, but here's a brief reintroduction.  My name is
Heidi S. Roibal and I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I am Child
Development Specialist (BS in Child Development and Family Studies), I'm
an LLL Leader and I am the Minorities Representative to the IBLCE.

I am responding to a query regarding the NCC exam.  This is a completely
different exam from the one offered by IBLCE.

The NCC application booklet states, "NOTICE: This examination does not
validate the nurse's knowledge to function as a Lactation Consultant."

If you are interested in Lactation Consultant certification, please
contact the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, 7309
Arlington Blvd., Suite 300, Falls Church, VA 22042-3215, (703)560-7330.
www.iblce.org.

Here are a few excerpts taken from the  IBLCE Candidate Information
Guide and Application Booklet (CIG):

The primary purpose of International Board Certification is to benefit
the public by setting standards for the lactation consultant profession.
Board Certification provides a credential for lactation consultants
which validates their special knowledge and skills.

As more facilities make a commitment to improving their breastfeeding
practices and success rates, education of staff has been identified as a
crucial step.  Health facilities which encourage and support their staff
to become board certified find that the exam provides a strong incentive
to extend study and skills.

Those who become IBCLC's include dietitians, educators, midwives,
nurses, physicians, social workers, and physical and occupational
therapists, to name a few.  The IBCLC credential identifies them as
ideal to help their facility to :

provide quality breastfeeding care
develop and implement a breastfeeding protocol
improve lactation knowledge and skills of other staff
become accredited under the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

Please contact IBLCE with any questions regarding the certification
process.

Sincerely,
Heidi S. Roibal, BS, IBLCE, LLL